Riverbank Grape vs Black Crowberry - TreeTime.ca

Riverbank Grape vs Black Crowberry

Vitis riparia

Empetrum nigrum

CUSTOM GROW

CUSTOM GROW

Riverbank Grape
Black Crowberry

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.

Black Crowberry is a native evergreen shrub that forms low, spreading mats. It has unique foliage that spiral around the stem, and small dark berries, giving it visual appeal. The berries are edible, but can be acidic, so are not generally eaten fresh. In colder climates they have a sweet, tart taste, and are dried, used in deserts, or for making jams or jellies.
It provides food for birds and mammals, while its flowers attract pollinators such as bees. Its ability to grow in harsh climates makes it an important species for ecological balance.
Black Crowberry has historical significance as it provided a vital food source for the indigenous cultures of the arctic regions. It is abundant in Scandinavia and is used to make liqueurs, wines, and juices. In Newfoundland and Labrador the berries are known locally as ‘blackberries’ and are used in jams, jellies and baked goods like buns and puddings.

Riverbank Grape Quick Facts

Black Crowberry Quick Facts

Zone: 2a
Zone: 3a
Height: 6 m (20 ft)
Height: 0.2 m (0.5 ft)
Spread: 0.6 m (2.0 ft)
Spread: 0.4 m (1.3 ft)
Light: full sun
Light: partial shade, full sun
Moisture: normal, wet
Moisture: any
Growth rate: fast
Growth rate: slow
Life span: long
Life span: medium
Growth form: low growing, matt-forming
Spreading: rhizomes - medium, seeds - low
Suckering: none


Foliage: evergreen needle-like leaves
Bark: yellow-red to brown
Flowers: fragrant white
Flowers: pink-red, very small
Bloom time: late spring to early summer
Berries: purple
Berries: purplish-black, edible
Firmness: firm
Flavor: tart
Flavor: bland, slightly bitter
Harvest: late summer
Harvest: late summer to fall
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: no


Native to: MB, ON, QC, NB
Native to: AB, BC, SK, MB, ON, QC, NS, NB, NL, YT, NT, NU
Other Names: frost grape, wild grape
Other Names: crakeberry, curlewberry, heathberry, northern crowberry