Botanical: Vitis labrusca 'Concord'
General Characteristics: Concord Seedless' is a Vitis labrusca hybrid that was developed in Concord, Massachusetts and introduced into commerce in 1843. It is one of the oldest cultivated American grape varieties still commonly grown. It is considered to be a good grape for juices, jams, jellies and wine. Some vineyards grow 'Concord Seedless' for producing sweet after dinner wines. This is a woody, deciduous, tendril-climbing vine. Panicles of fragrant, greenish flowers in spring are followed by clusters of blue-black, seeded grapes that ripen in late mid-season. Large, shallowly-three-lobed, green foliage. Flowers are attractive to bees. Ripe fruit is attractive to some hornets and wasps.
Grapes are primarily grown for fruit production in home fruit gardens where ornamental interest is not a concern. However, grapes do in fact have good ornamental value: bold summer foliage, some fall color, showy fruit and shaggy, twisted trunking and branching often best seen in winter. When grown on fences, walls, trellises, arbors or other structures, grapes can be quite attractive year-round and can provide good cover, screening, or shade to areas around the home.
