A cultivar originating from the United States, undemanding and vigorous, with leaves of attractive autumn colouring.

WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE: Leaves 3-lobed, slightly glossy, green in summer and deep red in autumn.

HOW IT GROWS: A vine climbing by means of tendrils; strong-growing, reaches 10 m height (1-2 m annual growth rate).

WHERE TO PLANT: Thrives in warm, sunny, airy sites. Tolerates average soil. Once established, withstands even longer drought. May freeze during harsh winters (zone 6b).

HOW TO PLANT AND MAINTAIN: Before planting immerse the plant container in water for 10-30 min. Place the root ball in a 40 x 40 x 40 cm hole with a 10 cm layer of well-rotten manure or compost, at the same depth it was before. Plant at least 30 cm from walls or other plants. Cover the ground around the new plants with bark mulch, fertilize from April, water generously in vegetative season. Should the need arise, e.g. when the vine suppresses other plants, it may be pruned hard – preferably late in the autumn or in winter before the vegetation starts, otherwise it bleeds.

HOW TO APPLY: The plant particularly recommended for growing over trellises, arbours, arches, pergolas and other garden supports. It looks attractive when intermingles with trees or tall shrubs.  Great for autumn colour compositions.

ORIGIN: Selected by Jerry Dangl in the United States around 1985, from a natural hybrid Vitis californica and Vitis vinifera ‘Alicante Bouschet’. The cultivar was named in honour of the renowned American gardener Roger Raiche. Occurs in natural sites in the U.S. – northern part of California and in the south of Oregon, in the river and stream valleys and other moist sites.