Native American bittersweet’s colorful berries will bring plenty of fruit-loving birds to your backyard.
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American Bittersweet Care and Growing Tips
- Common name: American bittersweet
- Scientific name: Celastrus scandens
- Zones: 3 to 8
- Light needs: Full sun to partial shade
- Water needs: Moist, well-draining soil
- Attracts: Bees, birds
This fast-growing vine adapts to many growing conditions and is a good choice for growing on a pergola, arbor or trellis, or for covering a fence or wall. The orange berries offer bright fall color and are valued for seasonal décor.
Bees pollinate the flowers in late spring and several species of birds feed on the berries.
Benefits of Growing American Bittersweet
American bittersweet’s showy orange berries are a favorite of more than a dozen bird species. Growing up to 30 feet tall, this vining beauty offers ample shelter for wildlife. It’s also a great choice for adding year-round interest to your garden.
The berries are also are lovely in fall crafts and dried arrangements. The flexible vine is ideal for creating wreaths.
Note that the berries and other parts of the plant are toxic to humans. Monitor young children closely if this vine is in your landscape.
Check out the top 10 vines to grow for hummingbirds.
American Bittersweet Not Producing Berries
“I purchased American bittersweet about a few years ago from a reputable garden supply store. They suggested I buy three plants, because the plants are male and female. I did this, but why are the plants not flowering or producing berries?” asks Birds & Blooms reader Judy Varney of Curtiss, Wisconsin.
Horticulture expert Melinda Myers says, “Most bittersweet has male and female flowers on separate plants. You need one male for about every five female plants for fruiting (not flowering) to occur. Some growers put both a male and female plant in each pot to ensure pollination. If one of the two dies, you’re out of luck.
In the future, try Autumn Revolution American bittersweet. It’s a newer introduction that has perfect flowers that have both male and female parts.
But no matter the combination or variety, it often takes several years for plants to become established and begin flowering and fruiting. Avoid high nitrogen fertilizers that promote leaf and stem growth and can discourage flowering.”
American vs Oriental Bittersweet
Choose the native American variety over its invasive plant cousin, Oriental bittersweet (Celastrus orbiculatus). This aggressive vine grows so exuberantly that it should not be planted it all. Once established in the landscape, it can strangle any other plant in its way, including trees.
Oriental bittersweet often shows up in fall wreaths and decorations, so don’t compost these items. The seeds could invade nearby gardens and wooded areas.
American bittersweet has elliptical, not rounded, leaves, and berries grow in clusters at the tips of branches.
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About the Expert
Melinda Myers is the official gardening expert for Birds & Blooms. She is a TV/radio host, author and columnist who has written more than 20 gardening books. Melinda earned a master’s degree in horticulture from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
