Grape Vine 'Black Hambourg' – Sweet Black Dessert Grape (3L Pot)

'Black Hambourg' is the classic British dessert grape, carrying big bunches of sweet, dark purple-black fruit.

It is a hardy, vigorous climber that will grow outdoors in a sheltered, sunny spot, and it does noticeably better under glass. PLANT FACTS puts 'Black Hamburgh' among the greenhouse grapes rather than the reliable outdoor wine varieties, so a conservatory or a warm south facing wall is where it earns its keep. Train it on a trellis, pergola or wires, or grow it in a large container.

The vine itself is fully hardy right across Britain, but hardiness and ripening are two different things: the grapes need a warm, sheltered, sunny spot, ideally against a south or west facing wall, to ripen properly outdoors. It is self fertile, so one vine crops on its own. Plant in well-drained, fertile soil, water regularly through the growing season and prune hard in midwinter while it is dormant. Expect fruit from August into October in a good year.

Supplied as an established vine in a 3 litre pot.

Grapes and vine leaves are harmful to dogs.

Cultural Information

• Common Name: Grape vine
• Fully Grown Height and Spread: 5 to 7m if left unpruned, usually trained to 2 to 3m
• Growth Habit: Vigorous deciduous climber, trained on wires or a support
• Perfect For: A warm south or west facing wall, pergolas, arches and large containers, and under glass in a conservatory
• Foliage: Large, lobed green leaves turning gold in autumn
• Flowering Time: Late spring to early summer
• Planting Position: Full sun, warm and sheltered. Grows well in a large container
• Soil Type: Well drained and fertile
• Hardiness: Fully hardy
• Maintenance: Prune hard every midwinter back to a permanent framework, and feed with a high potash feed once fruit sets
• Seasonal Interest: Summer and autumn
• Type: Grow your own