Celastrus scandens

RHS Plant Profile

American bittersweet

RHS 2002

Other common names

climbing bittersweet, David's root, false bittersweet, fever twig, staff tree, waxwork, bittersweet, staff vine

Climber Wall Shrub

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A strong-growing deciduous climber with ovate leaves and clusters of small greenish-yellow flowers followed by clusters of orange-yellow fruits which split to show the scarlet seeds

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

8-12 metres

Max Spread

4-8 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 10–20 years
Max Spread: 4-8 metres
Max Height: 8-12 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Clay Loam Sand

Moisture: Well–drained
pH: Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun Partial shade

Aspect: South–facing or West–facing or East–facing or North–facing
Exposure: Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20): H7

Colour & Scent

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Celastraceae
Native to GB/Ireland: No
Foliage: Deciduous
Habit: Climbing
Potentially harmful: Harmful if eaten. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling Pets (dogs, cats): Harmful if eaten - see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants for further information and useful contact numbers
Genus: Celastrus are fast-growing deciduous, rarely evergreen, climbers with scandent or twining stems bearing alternate leaves and inconspicuous greenish flowers followed by attractive fruits. Male and female flowers are often borne on separate plants
Name Status: Correct
Plant Range: N America

How to Grow

Cultivation

Prefers full sun and a well-drained soil

Propagation

Propagate by softwood cuttings or root cuttings

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Wall side borders

Pruning

Pruning group 11 in late winter or early spring

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free