American Bittersweet
A Native Vine for the Shade
The American Bittersweet, ‘Celastrus scandens’, is a native fast growing vine which thrives in part shade to full shade in zones 2-8.
This plant needs both male and female plant to produce the beautiful fruit, but only the female plants will produce fruit. Plants are sold unsexed.
The small greenish-white flowers are produced in June in short clusters. These mature into a fruit that is a round, orange-yellow capsule which opens to disclose the scarlet-colored seed pod.The fall display consists of brilliant yellow foliage interspersed with orange and red berries.
Birds love the berries all winter long.
*Fall Color
*Wildlife Plant
*Persistent Red Berries
Plant Facts
| Family | Celastrus scandens |
|---|---|
| Foliage | Green |
| Mature Spread | 15 to 20 feet |
| Soil | Widely Adaptable |
| Zones | 2-8 |
| Moisture | Widely Adaptable |
| Mature Form | Climbing |
| Growth Rate | Slow |
| Sun Exposure | Full sun to partial shade |
Quick Overview
The American Bittersweet, Celastrus scandens, is a most adaptable vine, with orange and red berries that retain color when cut and dried in fall. It needs both male and female plant to produce the beautiful fruit, only the female plants will produce fruit. Plants are unsexed. The small greenish-white flowers are produced in June in short clusters. During the fall season bittersweet vines put on a display few other plants can rival, with fruit that is a round, orange-yellow capsule which opens, disclosing the scarlet-colored seed pod. The foliage turns a beautiful bright yellow. It likes partial to full sun, but does best fruit in full sun, and prefers lean soils with regular moisture.
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