Even in the supposedly grim North, my vine produced grapes within just eighteen months. However, with a combination of warmer summers and hardier grape varieties being bred, outdoor grapevines are becoming a more common sight. Generally speaking, the best grapes to grow in the UK are wine varieties, but there are a few dessert and dual purpose vines that will grow well outdoors in warm sunny places further south.
Both types, however, can be grown in greenhouses and conservatories anywhere in the country, so if you have the space to grow under cover, anyone can sit under their own vine! Which are the best choices? While plucking fresh grapes straight from the vine.
Or drinking homebrew, either is good! Probably the most reliable black dessert grape for growing indoors, Black Hamburgh is the famous vine that was planted at Hampton Court Palace by Lancelot 'Capability' Brown in , which is still producing an annual crop more than years later. Grow it in a large container or greenhouse bed.
Another vine with historical connections, Muscat of Alexandria originates in North Africa with Cleopatra reputed to have enjoyed wine made from its grapes. For the best results, grow it in an unheated greenhouse.
Perfect for beginners, this award winning, heavy cropping grape is easy to care for and considered one of the best tasting grapes you can grow here. Boskoop Glory is a deliciously sweet and rich blue-purple dessert grape which can grow to an impressive 10m high and 4m wide, and is one of the hardier varieties for outdoor positions. For such a tough plant, it produces beautifully delicate fruit - big bunches of light green grapes that are delicious for eating but also good for wine making.
