Somerset Grape vs Riverbank Grape - TreeTime.ca

Somerset Grape vs Riverbank Grape

Vitis riparia

Vitis Somerset

CUSTOM GROW

COMING SOON

(new stock expected: fall of 2025)

Riverbank Grape
Somerset Grape

The Riverbank Grape, also known as the Frost Grape, or Wild Grape, is a cold-hardy variety that produces fragrant white flowers in the spring and then tart, purple grapes late in the summer.

The Riverbank Grape is a vigorous grower that attracts lots of wildlife, who enjoy the fruit and flowers. This plant is native to North America, and is also highly resistant to fungal diseases, making this a great addition to your city gardens. This plant does best with a trellis.

Note: We do not ship grape vines to BC due to regulatory restrictions from the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.

The Somerset Grape is a cold-hardy variety that is sweet, with a hint of a strawberry taste and tender skin, making them excellent for fresh eating. The grapes grow throughout the summer and go from a light pink and deepen in color as they ripen. The grapes will be at their peak sweetness in mid to late September, making that the best time for harvest.

The Somerset Grape is considered a seedless variety. Occasionally the fruit will contain seeds, but they are soft and barely noticeable. The grapes themselves are a bit smaller than the average size you’d find in the grocery store, however the cluster is compact and quite big. This vine is best supported with a trellis.

Note: We do not ship grape vines to BC due to regulatory restrictions from the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.

Riverbank Grape Quick Facts

Somerset Grape Quick Facts

Zone: 2a
Zone: 3a
Height: 6 m (20 ft)
Height: 1.5 m (5 ft)
Spread: 0.6 m (2.0 ft)
Spread: 1.5 m (5 ft)
Light: full sun
Light: full sun
Moisture: normal, wet
Moisture: dry, normal
Growth rate: fast
Growth rate: fast
Life span: long
Life span: medium
Suckering: none
Suckering: none
Maintenance: high
Maintenance: high


Bark: yellow-red to brown
Flowers: fragrant white
Fruit: pink to red, seedless
Berries: purple
Fruit size: 2.0g
Firmness: firm
Flavor: tart
Harvest: late summer
Harvest: early to mid September
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: no


Native to: MB, ON, QC, NB
Other Names: frost grape, wild grape