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Frontenac Grape vs Oregon Grape
Vitis x Frontenac
Berberis aquifolium (Mahonia aquifolium)
NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON
NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON
Frontenac Grape is a prairie hardy climbing vine that produces juicy, flavorful grapes. Expect aromas of cherry, plum, and berry from the wine and juice you make from this grape.
Note: if you want grapes for fresh eating, you might want to look at Brianna or Valiant Grape.
This vine requires a fence or trellis to encourage upward and outward growth. Consistent pruning and maintenance is necessary to reliably produce fruit, which usually occurs between 3 and 4 years of age.
Note: We do not ship grape vines to BC due to regulatory restrictions from the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.
Oregon Grape is an evergreen shrub native to North America, found along the Pacific coast. In spring, the bright golden-yellow flowers appear in clusters above the leaves. These flowers eventually give way to edible blue berries in late summer. While not a true grape, the berries appear grape-like due to their colouring and clustered growth. They can be eaten fresh, but the sour taste and high amounts of natural pectin make them well suited for preserves.
The Oregon Grape has leaves that are glossy, leathery, and spiny-edged. This feature gives it its alternate name of Holly-leaved Barberry. When the leaves emerge in the spring they are a bronze-red colour. In the summer they transition to green, followed by bright red to deep burgundy in the fall. Leaves are retained throughout the winter and colder temperatures cause the leaves to turn purplish bronze, providing year round interest to the landscape.