How's this for color? They're green now, so very green, but later this summer they'll turn to a rosy pink. These are Reliance grapes, an American variety of seedless table grape. Seedless is the way to go, I think. Aren't they beautiful?
They're supposed to be one of the best tasting eating grapes, very hardy in climates like ours and quick to bear fruit. I planted two Reliance vines last year and both are loaded with clusters of green grapes.
I've never grown grapes before and I'm wondering if the birds will get them first. Already birds are stealing blueberries, despite the fact that the berries are still pretty green and hard. I'm thinking of wrapping the blueberries in netting, wondering how that will work, given that last year the birds won out despite the netting. We harvested but a handful of berries before the bushes were bare.
Oh well. Birds have to eat, right?
Between the grape vines and this trumpet vine, walking in parts of my garden is like being under an umbrella. Every once in awhile, if you look closely, you'll see a hummingbird halfway into one of the little trumpets. Actually, it's important to watch this vine closely. It has "volunteers" all over the place. I pull them out, or pot them up and give them to friends or plant them against walls elsewhere in the garden.
But I no longer nurture them. They've definitely become acclimated and have proven themselves to be extremely tough. I don't even water them. Perhaps someday, in addition to having places for birds to sunbathe and water-bathe and feast on berries and grapes, I'll have a pergola covered in vines suitable for homesteading!
