American Bittersweet, Climbing Bittersweet, Celastrus scandens L., Native Minnesota Wildflower plant, Eloise Butler Wildflower Garden

(American Bittersweet). A perennial woody vine of sunny areas that flowers in late May and then produces a cluster of berries that gradually turn from green to yellow to orange over the season. Late in the fall the orange covering of the berry splits open along three division lines revealing a scarlet berry inside. The flowers in spring are small 5-part, yellowish-greenish, borne in open terminal clusters. The dark green leaves are oval with sharp teeth and a pointed tip, borne alternately along the stems which trail if there is no support. With support and left to grow over the years, the vine can become quite large and reach to 20 feet. Winter Interest: Once the leaves drop in the fall, the brilliant fruit clusters will remain through the winter if the birds don't frequent them. In the home garden setting it is frequently found growing on arbors and the sides of small buildings. The density of the branches on an older plant provides good cover for birds, both in winter and for summer nesting. Deer will browse young plants. Do not buy the Oriental Bittersweet (C. orbiculata) which is invasive. It has slightly different fruit clusters and leaves that are rounded at the tip.

	Plants of the Eloise Butler Wildflower Garden
	Common Name	Scientific Name	Plant Family	Garden Location	Prime Season
	Climbing Bittersweet	Celastrus scandens L.	Bittersweet	Upland	Late Spring to Early Summer. Berries to late Autumn
Other names and notes	(American Bittersweet). A perennial woody vine of sunny areas that flowers in late May and then produces a cluster of berries that gradually turn from green to yellow to orange over the season. Late in the fall the orange covering of the berry splits open along three division lines revealing a scarlet berry inside. The flowers in spring are small 5-part, yellowish-greenish, borne in open terminal clusters. The dark green leaves are oval with sharp teeth and a pointed tip, borne alternately along the stems which trail if there is no support. With support and left to grow over the years, the vine can become quite large and reach to 20 feet. Winter Interest: Once the leaves drop in the fall, the brilliant fruit clusters will remain through the winter if the birds don't frequent them. In the home garden setting it is frequently found growing on arbors and the sides of small buildings. The density of the branches on an older plant provides good cover for birds, both in winter and for summer nesting. Deer will browse young plants. Do not buy the Oriental Bittersweet (C. orbiculata) which is invasive. It has slightly different fruit clusters and leaves that are rounded at the tip.