VITIS. Grape. Northern Hemisphere, especially North America. These are the most familiar of all vines in California, since commercial selections are grown on a vast scale here for wine and table. They often grow quite large, covering trees and anything else in their path with massive leafy curtains and showing their shredding bark in winter. The leaves are usually large, toothed and sometimes lobed. Opposite them at each node are tendrils which wrap tightly around every possible object as a means of support (Don't turn your back on them). The flowers are small and inconspicuous but borne in generous branched clusters. The grapes are, of course, the part we prize most for consumption and sometimes for ornament. However, fruits of the native species are small and relatively large-seeded. Fall color of the foliage can be dazzling. The chief argument against having them in the garden is sheer size and vigor; I can't think of any others. Sun or--if you don't mind sacrificing production of the fruit--light shade, reasonably well drained soil, moderate watering. The following should be hardy to 10^oF. or less.

californica 'Walker Ridge'. California grape. This species is often seen along streams in northern California, clambering over willows and alders and making massive curtains of foliage during the summer months. This selection was part of a maverick population found growing in serpentine soil, fully exposed, and considerably smaller and more colorful than normal. Maximum height and breadth should be around 10'. It has nearly round 3-4" leaves, light green with a greyish cast during the growing season and taking on the reds and oranges of some of the wine grapes in fall. Useful both as a vine and for ground cover, particularly on banks.

girdiana, Our southern native, received from the good folks at Tree of Life Nursery. This species is quite similar in most respects to V. californica, and has the same uses. However, the stems and undersides of the leaves are more densely coated with small hairs, giving the whole plant a distinctly grey cast. Fall color in this form is golden yellow.