Vitis californica 'Roger's Red' 15g

Vitis ‘Roger’s Red’ (Roger’s Red California Wild Grape, Roger’s Red Wild Grape) is a vigorous deciduous ornamental grape selected in California by Roger Raiche and long associated with California wild grape. It is commonly grown in native and California-friendly landscapes for its crimson-red fall foliage, rapid seasonal growth, wildlife value, and adaptability. Genetic analysis by UC Davis Foundation Plant Services indicates that ‘Roger’s Red’ is a naturally occurring hybrid involving Vitis californica, a species native to California and northern Baja California, and Vitis vinifera ‘Alicante Bouschet’. Because of this hybrid background, it is best described as a California-selected ornamental grape with native heritage rather than as a pure selection of Vitis californica.

Quick Facts:

Botanical Name: Vitis ‘Roger’s Red’

Common Name: Roger’s Red California Wild Grape, Roger’s Red Wild Grape

Plant Type: Deciduous woody vine

Mature Size: Variable; commonly 20 feet or more depending on support structure and pruning

Exposure: Full sun to partial shade

Water: Low to moderate; drought tolerant once established

Soil: Well-drained clay, loam, sandy, rocky, and decomposed granite soils

Bloom Season: Spring

Flower Color: Greenish-yellow

Foliage Color: Green during the growing season, turning crimson red in fall

Wildlife Value: Flowers support native pollinators; fruit provides food for birds and other wildlife; dense foliage offers seasonal cover for birds

Origin: California-selected ornamental grape; genetic analysis indicates hybrid origin involving Vitis californica and Vitis vinifera ‘Alicante Bouschet’

Deer Resistance: Low to moderate; young growth may be browsed

Landscape Uses: Arbors, pergolas, fences, trellises, walls, seasonal screening, habitat plantings, water-wise landscapes, California native-inspired gardens, and riparian restoration projects

Habit & Size: ‘Roger’s Red’ is a vigorous deciduous climbing vine capable of reaching 20 feet or more when provided with adequate support. Plants climb by branched tendrils and develop dense green foliage throughout the growing season. Small clusters of inconspicuous greenish-yellow flowers appear in spring, followed by dark purple grapes that ripen in late summer and autumn. As temperatures cool, the foliage develops crimson-red fall color, making it one of the most ornamental grape selections used in California native-inspired and California-friendly landscapes.

Cultural Requirements: Provide full sun for the strongest fall color, although plants also perform well in partial shade. ‘Roger’s Red’ adapts to a wide range of well-drained soils and performs well in both coastal and inland Southern California. Deep, occasional irrigation during establishment promotes strong root development, while established plants require relatively little supplemental water. Fall color is generally most intense where plants receive full sun and experience cooler autumn temperatures. Winter pruning helps maintain size, improve structure, and encourage vigorous new growth each growing season.

Landscape Uses: ‘Roger’s Red’ is well suited for covering arbors, pergolas, fences, trellises, walls, and other support structures where rapid seasonal screening and summer shade are desired. It is widely used in California native-inspired landscapes, habitat-oriented plantings, riparian restoration projects, commercial landscapes, and water-wise gardens. Dense foliage provides seasonal cover for birds, while the fruit supports a wide variety of wildlife. Its red fall color also makes it an effective specimen vine for residential and commercial landscapes seeking seasonal interest. Plants grown by El Nativo Growers are not produced or sold for human consumption.

Identification Note: Vitis ‘Roger’s Red’ is distinguished by its crimson-red fall foliage. Typical Vitis californica can display fall color, but it is often more variable and may include brown, yellow, or muted red tones depending on site and season. ‘Roger’s Red’ generally produces more reliable red tones, although the intensity and consistency of fall color still depend on annual weather, exposure, irrigation, and site conditions. Like California wild grape, it produces vigorous climbing growth, branched tendrils, and clusters of small grapes. Unlike table grapes, it is grown primarily for ornamental screening, seasonal color, and wildlife value rather than fruit production.

Pests and Cultural Considerations: This cultivar is generally resilient and free of serious pest or disease problems when grown under appropriate conditions. Powdery mildew, grape leafhoppers, aphids, and spider mites may occasionally occur, particularly where air circulation is limited or plants experience stress. Good air circulation helps reduce the likelihood of powdery mildew. Birds readily consume the fruit, and seedlings may occasionally appear beneath mature vines. Annual dormant-season pruning helps maintain structure, control vigorous growth, and encourage healthy new shoots.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Is Vitis ‘Roger’s Red’ native to California? ‘Roger’s Red’ is a California-selected ornamental grape associated with Vitis californica, a species native to California and northern Baja California. Genetic analysis indicates that it is a naturally occurring hybrid involving Vitis californica and Vitis vinifera ‘Alicante Bouschet’, so it should not be described as a pure California wild grape.

Is ‘Roger’s Red’ evergreen? No. It is a deciduous vine that loses its leaves in winter after producing its characteristic red fall color.

Does ‘Roger’s Red’ lose its leaves every winter? Yes. Like other deciduous grapes, it drops its leaves in winter and produces fresh new growth in spring.

Is ‘Roger’s Red’ drought tolerant? Yes. Once established, it performs well with low to moderate supplemental irrigation and is well suited to water-wise landscapes.

Does it produce edible grapes? Yes. The small grapes are edible, but they are generally valued more as a food source for birds and other wildlife than for fresh eating. Plants produced and sold by El Nativo Growers are not for human consumption.

Can ‘Roger’s Red’ grow near the coast? Yes. It performs well in both coastal and inland Southern California when provided with adequate support and reasonably well-drained soil.

How is ‘Roger’s Red’ different from standard Vitis californica? ‘Roger’s Red’ was selected for its more consistent crimson-red fall foliage. Typical Vitis californica can develop fall color, but it is often more variable and may be brown, yellow, or muted red depending on site and season. ‘Roger’s Red’ generally has more reliable red tones, although color intensity still depends on environmental conditions each year.

Is it suitable for California-friendly landscapes? Yes. Its drought tolerance, native heritage, wildlife value, and fall color make it well suited for California native-inspired landscapes, habitat-oriented plantings, and water-wise landscape designs.

Is ‘Roger’s Red’ fast growing? Yes. In season, the vine is often exceptionally fast growing and can produce many feet of growth each year from each of its branches. Proper in-season management and annual dormant pruning are important to keep the vine contained to the desired area.