Isabella Grape
Isabella was among the first mass-cultivated American grape varieties introduced to Ukraine in the 19th century.
Isabella Grape is one of the most beloved varieties among Ukrainian gardeners, especially those who value reliability and low maintenance. This hybrid of American and European vine species arrived on our lands in the nineteenth century and has steadily won the hearts of gardeners ever since. Unlike temperamental cultivated varieties, Isabella grows in virtually any conditions, requiring no exhausting care whilst generously producing harvests that delight year after year.
The plant develops into a vigorous climber that extends several metres during the season, so it is best positioned near a wall, barn, or pergola, allowing it to reach its full potential. Delicate flowers appear on one- and two-year-old shoots in May, and by late August to September, beautiful blue-black berries ripen with a delicate strawberry fragrance. Dense bunches adorn the vine right until the frosts arrive, creating a truly spectacular natural display in the garden.
In the garden, Isabella proves to be a versatile helper. It can be trained upwards along a fence to shade a veranda, planted near a gazebo, or used as a living screen from neighbours' view. Its indifference to soil conditions is another significant advantage: the plant establishes almost anywhere, except in waterlogged low-lying areas. It combines well with other grape varieties, particularly with Lydia and wine grapes, creating striking garden compositions.
If you are just beginning your journey into viticulture and wish to experience your first taste of success, Isabella will become your finest companion. It forgives beginners' mistakes, rewards you with fruit already in the first or second year, and its berries provide not only fresh snacks for the family but also excellent material for compotes and preserves. In its natural state, climbing high up trees, this vine reveals its true strength—mighty, unfettered, and capable of bringing joy even without human intervention.
Isabella Grape — planting & location
Most frost-hardy grape variety, blue-black berries, strawberry aroma.
How to water Isabella Grape
Stop watering 2–3 weeks before harvest.
Fertilizing and pruning: Isabella Grape
Leave 3–4 main arms, with short spurs.