Ampelopsis brevipedunculata var. maximowiczii 'Elegans'
Blueberry climber, Porcelain vine
Also known as Ampelopsis heterophylla 'Elegans', Ampelopsis glandulosa 'Elegans', Ampelopsis glandulosa brevipedunculata 'Elegans'
- Height × spread
- 4.6m × 3.6m
- Position
- Full sun
- Hardiness
- Cold to -15C (RHS H5)
- Flowers
- Spring, Autumn
Availability
Please ask in store about availability
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
This startling plant has broad lobed leaves, smaller in size than the species, held on reddish-brown young stems. The leaves are intensely variegated being spotted, splashed and freckled with white, pink, green or yellow. Young leaves have pink flushing as well. The strident impact of all this activity causes the leaf to lose its innate elegance of shape. If the summer is hot there are porcelain-blue fruits following the inconspicuous spring flowers. The plant is sometimes grown as an indoor pot plant. It is well suited to life on the patio where the leaves can be studied at close hand, and visitors can decide whether they like or loathe it. This will reach around 4.5m (15ft) height with 3.5m (11ft) spread.
- Foliage colour
- Green, Pink, White
- Spring foliage
- Pink-flushed
- Autumn foliage
- Yellow
- Fruit colour
- Blue
- Variegated
- Yes
- Scent
- No
- Shape
- Fan
- Height
- 4.6m
- Spread
- 3.6m
- Season of interest
- Spring, Summer, Autumn
- Flowers in
- Spring, Autumn
- Evergreen
- Deciduous
- Garden style
- Indoors, Exotic garden, Conservatory
- Sun or shade
- Likes full sun, tolerates part shade, tolerates light shade
- Soil type
- Loam (normal), Sandy soil
- Soil pH
- All types
- Drainage
- Moisture retentive soil, Damp and wet soil, Well drained soil, Dry soil, Drought resistant
- Hardiness
- Cold to -15C (RHS H5)
- Borders & containers
- Borders and containers
- Use for
- Wall cover
- Walls
- South, West facing
- Hazards
- No
Spring
Spring - late · Outdoors
Feed with slow release fertiliser
Apply a general purpose slow release fertiliser, spreading it around the root area of the plant as it is coming into growth. (Or apply a liquid feed at regular intervals throughout the growing season.)
This is a simple way to provide a nutrient boost as a single annual procedure.
Spring-Autumn · Outdoors
Water during drought
After three or four weeks without rain, except for drought tolerant plants, those in the ground often get stressed. Adopt the habit of deep-watering one section of the garden each day. Check plants in pots more frequently, especially in hot weather.
Encourage plants to develop good root systems by giving occasional deep watering. Some plants, such as conifers and heathers, do not show much sign of distress so water these if in doubt.
Winter
Winter - late · Planting
Prune to maintain the plant
Remove and dead or damaged branches or any growth that looks very untidy. Trim the plant back if necessary to keep it within bounds.