Shrubby Bittersweet Celastrus scandens
Other Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- sel-ASS-trus SKAN-dens
- This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- Description
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American bittersweet is a rapidly growing twining vine in the Celastraceae (bittersweet) family, native to the southeast. It is best known for its bright red berries and yellow leaves in the fall. and the fruit is also used for dried arrangements.
The best fruit display will occur in the full sun though it grows in partial shade. It prefers moist well-drained slightly alkaline sandy soil though it will grow in a wide variety of soils as long as they are not overly wet. Prune the vines back in the early spring to maintain a more compact form. The stems twine around structures or trees and because they are woody they can strangle live supports like trees but they do not often kill their support. If the vine is growing without anything to climb, it will sprawl along the ground appearing more shrublike.
These plants are primarily dioecious (separate male and female plants), although some have a few perfect flowers. Female plants need a male pollinator to produce the attractive fruit that is the signature of this vine. Unfortunately, it can be difficult to find plants that are labeled as male or female as is done often with holly plants. Generally, one male plant is needed for six to nine female plants.
Birds are fond of showy red fruits and they provide a food source through the winter as well as attractive interest in the landscape. The leaves turn an attractive yellow color in the fall. The cut stems with fruits dry beautifully and make lovely arrangements. Plant this large vine along woodland edges, in meadows or use it as a screen giving it a sturdy trellis to climb.
This species might be confused with the invasive Asian bittersweet (Celastrus orbicularis), but the invasive species has leaves that are rounded at the tip. The tips of the leaves of the native climbing bittersweet taper to a point.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: It can be weedy, though it is not as problematic as C. orbiculatus.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- 'Indian Brave'
- 'Indian Maiden'
- 'Indian Brave'
- 'Indian Brave', 'Indian Maiden'
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Indian Brave'
- 'Indian Maiden'
- 'Indian Brave'
- 'Indian Brave', 'Indian Maiden'
- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Celastrus
- Species:
- scandens
- Family:
- Celastraceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Woody
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Central & E. Canada to N. & E. & Central U.S.A
- Wildlife Value:
- Birds enjoy the fruits.
- Climbing Method:
- Twining
- Edibility:
- Poison
- Dimensions:
- Height: 20 ft. 0 in. - 25 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 2 ft. 0 in. - 8 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Native Plant
- Perennial
- Poisonous
- Vine
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Climbing
- Spreading
- Growth Rate:
- Rapid
- Maintenance:
- Medium
- Texture:
- Medium
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Soil Texture:
- Clay
- High Organic Matter
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil pH:
- Alkaline (>8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Available Space To Plant:
- 12-24 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Orange
- Red/Burgundy
- Fruit Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Winter
- Fruit Type:
- Capsule
- Fruit Length:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Width:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- The fruit is round 1/2" diameter, dry three lobed capsule that starts out green turning the outside orange which eventuallly splits exposing red seeds. They appear in fall and persist through winter.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Green
- Orange
- White
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Star
- Flower Petals:
- 4-5 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- Flowers form from May to June in elongated branched clusters at the terminal of new wood side branches. Clusters are about 6" long. Flowers are small (1/4") with 5 greenish-white petals, 5 green sepals. Separate male and female plants, male flowers have 5 yellow stamens, female flowers have a thick style crowned with a scalloped edge stigma in the center, and 5 small, sterile stamens.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Green
- Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Elliptical
- Oblong
- Leaf Margin:
- Serrate
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Woody vine with alternate, simple, deciduous leaves with finely serrated margins, 2"-4" wide and 1"-2" wide, oblong elliptic, forming a long tapered tip at the top and rounded at the bottom, petioles are 3/4" long. When new leaves emerge in the spring, they have a rolled edge. Attractive yellow fall color.
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Bark:
- Bark Color:
- Light Gray
- Surface/Attachment:
- Lenticels
- Peeling
- Bark Description:
- Gray bark has lenticles and flaking or peeling on more mature growth. Trunks can reach 2 1/2" in diameter.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Gray/Silver
- Green
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Description:
- New growth is green turing brown/gray and more woody with age.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Meadow
- Naturalized Area
- Rock Wall
- Vertical Spaces
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Native Garden
- Winter Garden
- Design Feature:
- Hedge
- Screen/Privacy
- Attracts:
- Songbirds
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Dry Soil
- Salt
- Problems:
- Poisonous to Humans
- Problem for Cats
- Problem for Dogs
- Problem for Horses
- Weedy