Plant family: Vitaceae
Plant origin: The origin of grapes is unknown as they have been cultivated by man for thousands of years, especially in the Middle East.
Fruit description: Improved Isabella grapes are medium sized, black oval fruits containing two small seeds. They occur in bunches. The skin of each fruit is thick but still edible. Improved Isabella grapes can be Table or eating grapes, or can be used for wine making. They are sweet and very juicy, and have a very fruity flavour. The Improved version of Isabella has large tight bunches, with excellent flavour.
Flowers: The flowers are small, green and produced in clusters that hang down.
Growing conditions: Improved Isabella grapes are deciduous vines. The big, lobed leaves turn red and fall in Autumn. A grape vine can tolerate cold Winters. Improved Isabella grapes can tolerate all climates including temperate, sub-tropical, and tropical climates. They have the most fungal disease resistance of all grapes.
Prune the vine to shape in Winter when it is dormant. The vine can be trained to grow on a trellis, fence, wall, pergola, or pruned to a standard bush shape. The fruit is produced on new wood.
Uses: Improved Isabella grapes may be eaten fresh, added to fruit salad or savoury dishes, made into jam or jelly. They may also be used for snacks, breakfast, cakes, desserts, pies, muffins, scones, biscuits, slices.
Grape juice can be enjoyed as a refreshing drink. Improved Isabella grapes can be fermented into wine or vinegar, or fermented and distilled into spirits. They are commonly fermented to make Lambrusca style wines.
Oil can be extracted from grape seeds and used in cooking and also in cosmetics.
Medicinal uses: Grapes contain certain antioxidants that may protect from disease including some cancers. Red wines contain antioxidants and are thought to help prevent cardiovascular disease. Grape seeds are also rich in beneficial antioxidants.
Pollination requirements: Self-Pollinating.
Harvest time Harvest time for Improved Isabella grapes is Summer. Pick your grapes when they are ripe as they will not ripen after picking. Wine grapes are picked when acidity and sugar levels are suitable to the type of wine being made.
Plant relatives
Special features: Grapevines can live for a very long time under the right conditions.
Grown by method: Cutting Grown Pot size: 140mm
Plant growing Height and Width for pots or in the ground planting: Grows to 2.5 metres high by 2 metres wide if Planted in a Pot. Grows 6 metres high by 4 metres wide if Planted in the Ground.
Shipping plant pot or planter bag size: 140mm
