The Underrated And Fast-Growing Perennial Vine That Yields Edible Fruit

When you want to cover an unsightly fence or other structure in your yard quickly for some lovely green foliage and to create a more pleasing aesthetic, a vine is usually one of your best options — even better if it's a native species that will thrive in your climate, is not invasive, and draws in birds and other friendly visitors. There are plenty of attractive climbing plants that will make you feel like you're living a fairy tale, but unless you live in Texas, Oklahoma, or Arkansas, you've probably never heard of the mustang grape (Vitis mustangensis), which is native to these states.

However, this attractive deciduous vine is definitely worth a look thanks to its varied leaves that have wooly undersides and the small grape-like fruits, which are edible, although somewhat bitter to the taste. Those who are familiar with this rather underrated gem may already know that the fruits can be used for homemade wine or jellies. What's quite advantageous about this vigorous climber is that the stems can reach a length of around 50 feet, making it perfect for covering fences or anything else you'd rather hide away from view. You'll also find the leaves quite interesting to observe, as some are heart-shaped without any serrations, while others can be deeply lobed and look almost like maple leaves. The fruits themselves are dark purple when they ripen in late summer or early fall.

Anyone who gardens in USDA hardiness zones 4 through 8, can enjoy the splendid growth of this perennial vine. All you need to do is provide it with a structure to climb over and watch it go. Of course, this brings us to the fact that it's important to keep an eye on that vigorous growth, so it doesn't get out of hand and you end up with mustang grape vine in areas you don't want. Just like other types of grapes, this species has tendrils which will cling easily to whatever they come into contact with, so before starting this plant, you should know what to do if your climbing plant grows past its trellis.

The mustang grape vine prefers loamy soil that's well-drained and either full sun or part shade. However, if you want the fruits to ripen well, you should choose a sunny spot to grow your vine. You'll also want to take care to only prune the plant in winter while it is dormant. If you accidentally cut some stems during the active growth period, the cuts will flow with sap, which could weaken or kill the plant. Once this vine is happily growing in your yard, don't be surprised if you get visits from a variety of birds and small mammals to feast on those fruits – unless you decide to eat them first. To add to its wildlife appeal, you might also want to explore another beautiful fast-growing vine that will attract pollinators to your yard.