Vitis coignetiae - Ornamental Vine

The Vitis coignetiae or Coignet Vine is a beautiful ornamental vine, vigorous and climbing, it is distinguished by its large heart-shaped leaves, light green on the top, covered with a grey fuzz on the underside. In autumn, the leaves gradually turn yellow, then coppery orange and finally a sensational wine red to scarlet red. Like all climbers, it climbs by clinging to its support through tendrils and can reach a height of 10 to 15 meters (33 to 49 feet) when mature! In late summer, it produces dark blue, inedible fruits. Hardy and undemanding, it thrives in the sun, in ordinary but well-drained soil, preferably neutral to limestone.

The Coignet Vine belongs to the Vitaceae family like wine grapes. Among the many cultivated ornamental vine species, this species is more oriental, it comes from Asia, northern Japan, and Korea where it naturally grows in cold and humid regions at high altitudes, which makes it very hardy, it can withstand temperatures down to -15°C (5°F). This ornamental vine produces large vigorous stems with tendrils at the axil of the leaves that wrap around and cling to all types of wood. When mature, it can reach a height of 10 to 15 metres (33 to 49 feet) depending on the growing conditions. Its final shape will depend on the pruning practiced and it is advisable to train it on wire and trellis it well. The mature, heart-shaped leaves can reach up to 30 cm (12in) in diameter, their lamina is light green and their underside is covered with a grey fuzz. The charm of this vine reaches its peak in autumn when the leaves turn wine red and then scarlet red before falling. The grapes are gathered in large clusters, the blue-black berries do not exceed 1 cm (1/2 in) in diameter and are not edible, although they are used in Korean medicine.

Easy to grow, Vitis coignetiae thrives in full sun or partial shade in any rich and well-drained soil. It will colonise the tops of trees in an exotic garden, creep over a large pergola, or be neatly trained against a house wall. Its light green colour in summer pairs well with white flowering plants. For example, combine it with the 'Sander's White Rambler' rambling rose with summer and autumn flowering. The roses will be highlighted against the vine's two successive foliage colours. It also pairs well with dark foliage plants such as 'Black Lace' elderberry or purple hazelnut, a purple beech. Asters at the base will create a very beautiful effect.