Celastrus scandens (American Bittersweet)

Prized for its showy bicolored fruits, Celastrus scandens (American Bittersweet) is a fast-growing, deciduous, twining, woody vine with ovate, finely serrated, dark green leaves, 4 in. long (10 cm). The foliage turns an outstanding pale yellow in the fall. In late spring to early summer, small greenish-yellow flowers appear in clusters on separate male and female plants. Fertilized female flowers give way to round orange-yellow fruits which split open in fall to expose the scarlet seeds. The berries are quite decorative and attractive, brightening up the fall and winter landscape. Birds feast on them and the fruit is also used for dried arrangements. Native to eastern North America, American Bittersweet spreads both by seeds and root suckers to form large colonies in the wild. It adapts to a wide range of conditions, including full sun to light shade and moist to dry soil. Female plants need a male pollinator to produce attractive fruit – usually, one male plant is needed for 6-9 female plants.

• Grows up to 15-20 ft. long (450-600 cm) and 3-6 ft. wide (90-180 cm).
• Thrives in full sun to light shade in dry to moist, well-drained soils that can contain rich loam, sand, or rocky material. Drought tolerant once established.
• No serious insect or disease problems. Deer resistant.
• Great for trellises, walls, fences, arbors, and other structures. Can be used as a ground cover.
• No regular pruning needed. If trimming is necessary, prune this vine in late winter or early spring. This vine blooms on new growth.
• Berries are poisonous. Low toxicity if eaten.
• Toxic to dogs, toxic to cats, toxic to horses.
• Sow seeds in fall or stratify and sow in spring. Bittersweet can also be propagated by root cuttings, layers, suckers, hardwood and softwood cuttings.
• Native to eastern North America.