Vitis vinifera 'Victoria'

Common name: Grape vine

Description: Vitis vinifera 'Victoria' is a vigorous, handsome table grape vine producing large, heavy clusters of sweet, juicy, dark red to blue-black grapes from late summer into early autumn. A reliable and popular variety in the UK, 'Victoria' is best trained against a warm, south-facing wall or fence to benefit from the radiated heat that promotes ripening, and it produces an impressive harvest when given adequate space and sun. The deeply lobed, mid-green leaves turn amber and russet in autumn, extending the season of interest.

Other benefits: productive table grape with excellent sweet flavour, outstanding autumn foliage colour, fast-growing and vigorous, ideal for covering walls and pergolas

Wildlife attraction: Bees visit the small, inconspicuous flowers in summer; ripe grapes attract blackbirds and starlings.

Height & spread (approx.) at 10 years: 5–6m x 2–3m (trained on wall or wire)

Position: Full sun against a warm, south- or south-west-facing wall or fence for the best fruit ripening.

Soil pH: Neutral to slightly alkaline; well-drained, moderately fertile soil. Deep, chalky or sandy soils are ideal.

Moisture: Moderate once established; water young plants regularly. Avoid over-feeding with nitrogen.

Winter hardiness: Hardy to -15°C (H5); fully frost-hardy throughout the UK when planted in a sheltered position.