[barbarella]

We have a Vitis vinifera 'Purpurea' ornamental grapevine growing over a pergola and after good summers like this one it is covered in trusses of small black grapes - unfortunately too bitter to eat. 

We would like to replace it with an edible variety - does anyone know a good one which  is likely to do as well as the current one, which  is planted in a sheltered east facing partially shady spot but the part growing over the top of the pergola gets a lot of sun and shelter from westerly winds?  We live about 100 metres from the sea on the coast of Somerset. 

[Amilo]

Growing a edible grape that is big enough to cover your garden furniture would mean that the grapes, if any, would not ripen, the conditions necessary to bring a grapevine to bear fruit are total different than that of an ornamental grape vine. However if you would like to move house to Spain than all would be possible.

[barbarella]

Thank you for your reply Amilo, which answered my question completely.  Thank goodness I posted the query before we dug up the ornamental vine - at least we can enjoy its beautiful leaf colour while we dream of Spain

[devonbarmygardener]

I'm looking for an edible grape variety for the back garden - if I find out a good variety that grows in our climate I'll let you know

[infowarrior]

Black hamburgh, Boskoop Glory & Fosters seedling are ok for British climates.

[devonbarmygardener]

Thanks for that

[smellykipper]

my wife and i was only talking about this yesterday, would they be ok growing on a trellis wall on our allotment which has the sun on it all day ?

Daz

[devonbarmygardener]

They're going to need as much sun as they can get and protection from heavy frost in the winter I should think.

A lot of people have success with growing the root of the plant outside the greenhouse and trailing the rest of the plant through a greenhouse, ie: through a hole in the glass.

This isn't practical for me as I don't have enough greenhouse space !
So I'm looking for a robust variety, as you say for a spot that get's sun for most of the day (plus the back wall of my house holds the heat of the day for hours)  and know I'm going to have to protect it should it get too cold in this neck of the woods in the winter.

[Amilo]

They're going to need as much sun as they can get and protection from heavy frost in the winter I should think.

A lot of people have success with growing the root of the plant outside the greenhouse and trailing the rest of the plant through a greenhouse, ie: through a hole in the glass.

This isn't practical for me as I don't have enough greenhouse space !
So I'm looking for a robust variety, as you say for a spot that get's sun for most of the day (plus the back wall of my house holds the heat of the day for hours)  and know I'm going to have to protect it should it get too cold in this neck of the woods in the winter.

There is no need to take any floor space to grow vines in a GH, Root the outside the pass one branch (green) into the GH. then train the vine up into the roof and along wires or cane above your head. All this is going to take a few years before the plant will be ready to bear fruit.

[devonbarmygardener]

That is what I just typed Amilo - about planting the root outside

[MickyB]

Although it's a white grape and not black 'Lakemont' is both UK hardy and seedless I have seen it on sale at a number of sites but here's one for reference: http://www.victoriananursery.co.uk/Grape_Vine_Lakemont/
I am a newbie but I investigated this a couple of months ago because I was planning on having a go myself, I prefer seedless grapes but I also noticed that a few other seeded UK hardy varieties on offer.

[gobs]

my wife and i was only talking about this yesterday, would they be ok growing on a trellis wall on our allotment which has the sun on it all day ?

Daz

It should be, if a well chosen variety and wind(chill) sheltered location. I have one outside here. It needs a good summer outside to come up with something, however, I was just gifted it, no idea, what it even is.