Description
Vitis vinifera ‘Phoenix’ is a hardy, vigorous cultivar that typically produces large clusters of dark red, sweet and juicy berries with a slightly spicy flavor. The berries are medium to large in size and have a sweet and juicy taste. The leaves are simple, lobed, and dark green. The vine itself can grow quite large and needs to be trained to grow properly on a trellis or arbor. ‘Phoenix’ is known for its high yield, good disease resistance, and hardiness in colder climates. It is also well adapted to a wide range of soils and can adapt to different pruning techniques. The fruit is often used for making red wines, juice or jelly. It’s also good for eating fresh as table grapes.
Key Facts
- Common Name(s):Phoenix Grape Vine
- Hardiness:Fully hardy through most of the UK
- How big will I get? Vitis vinifera ‘Phoenix’ can grow to a height of 10m and a spread of 3m.
- Did You Know That:Grapevines have been cultivated for thousands of years, and Vitis vinifera, the species to which ‘Phoenix’ belongs, is one of the oldest cultivated plants in the world?
Plant Calendar
A rough guide to how this plant will change through the year.
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Care Guide
Soil Requirements
Vitis vinifera ‘Phoenix’ prefers soil with good drainage and does not tolerate standing water. This plant is not tolerant of acidic soil, it requires either a neutral or alkaline soil to grow.
Best Position
Vitis vinifera ‘Phoenix’ prefers a sheltered position and requires full sun to thrive, this consists of more than six hours of direct sunshine per day.
Maintenance
Vitis vinifera ‘Phoenix’ should be pruned annually to maintain the health and productivity of the bush. Proper pruning can encourage bush to produce more fruit, and also help to control disease and pests. The best time to prune gooseberries is during their dormant season, typically late winter or early spring, before new growth begins. When you start pruning, the first step is to remove any dead, diseased, or damaged wood. Cut these branches back to healthy wood. Next, remove any shoots that have grown from the base of the bush, as well as any old or unproductive canes. Gooseberries typically produce fruit on the 2-year-old wood, and it is important to maintain a balance between the old wood and the new wood. You should also remove any shoots that are growing in the center of the bush, which can prevent good air circulation and lead to disease problems. Then you should thin out the remaining canes, leaving 4-6 strong canes per bush, and prune them back to about 4-6 inches from the ground.
Pest, Diseases and Wildlife
Vitis vinifera ‘Phoenix’ can have problems with vine weevil and wasps, and it tends not to have problems with diseases. It is not considered to be toxic.
