Purple-black dessert grapes make Vitis vinifera Schiava Grossa a productive choice for a sunny wall, trellis, or pergola. The vigorous deciduous vine reaches about 16 feet high and wide when trained and carries lobed green leaves around conical fruit clusters from late summer into early fall.
Plant it in well-drained soil with a sheltered southern or western exposure. Train the woody framework on a sturdy support, water during active growth, and prune the side shoots in winter and summer to keep light and air around the crop. The ripe fruit is edible for people but toxic to dogs, so keep fallen grapes out of their reach.
