American bittersweet is our Plant of the Week for the last week of September. This woody, native vine is a valuable plant for wildlife and for home decorators.
Bittersweet is native east of the Rocky Mountains, throughout the United States and Canada. It is not the fastest grower, putting on at a rate of 4 to 6 feet per year. https://plants.usda.gov/core/profile?symbol=CESC
The berries on this plant were called bittersweet by colonists for their resemblance to nightshade berries. They are usually dark to light orange in color, but can sometimes be yellow or almost red.
American bittersweet berries are important late-winter food sources for birds, who then “plant” the seeds for more vines. The vines are dioecious, meaning they have separate male and female plants. Most nurseries now sell both the male and female plant in the same container.
When planting this vine, be sure to have an extra strong trellis, as the vines are woody, and can be very heavy. A trellis made from sturdy timbers, lumber, or a strong metal would support the vines.
This vine will grow in full sun to part shade, and well-drained to heavy clay soils. I have not observed any major pests, just a few native insects feed on the leaves.
You can buy containers with both male and female vines from us at http://www.grimmsgardens.com/shop/. Or check out our garden store at 2991 Goldfinch Road, Hiawatha, KS or in Nebraska City, NE.
Happy Planting!