Botanical: Vitis 'Niagara'
General Characteristics: Niagara' is an American grape variety. It is a woody, deciduous, tendril climbing vine which typically will grow 15-20' long unless pruned shorter. Panicles of fragrant, greenish flowers in spring are followed by clusters of white seedless grapes which ripen in midseason (early September in USDA Zone 5). Considered to be a good grape for wine, fresh eating, juice or jellies. 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.
