Plant of the week

CRIMSON GLORY VINE VITIS COIGNETIAE

HERE’S a close relative of the grape vine whose display will knock your socks off. A native of Korea and Japan, the Crimson Glory Vine is a rampant climber. From late September, the heart-shaped leaves change from green to a deep purplish red, suffused with orange. The colour intensifies until late October when it becomes a burning crimson. In a modest space, try Vitis coignetiae or for smaller gardens, try purple Vitis vinifera Purpurea.