Riverbank Grape vs Black Crowberry - TreeTime.ca

Riverbank Grape vs Black Crowberry

Empetrum nigrum

Vitis riparia

CUSTOM GROW

CUSTOM GROW

Black Crowberry
Riverbank Grape

Black Crowberry is a native evergreen shrub that forms low, spreading mats. It has unique foliage that spirals around the stem, and small dark berries, giving it visual appeal. The berries are edible, but can be acidic, so they are not generally eaten fresh. In colder climates, the berries develop a sweet-tart flavor and are often dried or used in desserts, jams, and jellies.

This hardy shrub provides food for birds and mammals, while its flowers attract pollinators such as bees. It also serves as a host plant for certain butterflies and moths. Together, these roles make it a key contributor to the health of tundra and boreal ecosystems.

In Newfoundland and Labrador, the berries are known locally as ‘blackberries’ and are enjoyed in jams, jellies, and traditional baked goods such as buns and puddings. In Scandinavia, they continue to be used in liqueurs, wines, and juices.

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 Quick Facts

Riverbank Grape Quick Facts

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


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


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