The Muscadine grape (Vitis rotundifolia) is a species native to the southeast region of the United States. Muscadines have been under cultivation for hundreds of years. Being native to the southeast they are adapted to warm and rather humid climates, making them ideal for planting where the climate does not produce favorable chilling hours required by other varieties of grape. Hardy in zones 5-9 they perform best in full sun but can tolerate partial shade.
Of their notable characteristics is the tough outer skin which ripen in a wide range of colors: bronze to black and even purple. A rather versatile variety of grape it is grown to produce wine, juice, jellies and even eaten fresh.
There are hundreds of muscacdine grape cultivars, all requiring a pollenizer in order to set fruit. Muscadines grow best in fertile sandy loam and alluvial soils. Rather resistant to pests and diseases, including Pierce’s disease, which is a major contributor to the death of many grape species.
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