Bryonia dioica

RHS Plant Profile
white bryony

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white bryony RHS
white bryony RHS

Other common names

devil's cherry, devil's turnip, English mandrake, grapewort, Isle of Wight vine, murrain berries, red bryony, tetterberry, white wild vine, wild hop, bloneg y ddaear

Synonyms

Bryonia cretica subsp. dioica

Plants for pollinators
Climber Wall Shrub Herbaceous Perennial

Britain's only native member of the cucumber family. It is a herbaceous, tendrilled climber with separate male and female plants. Leaves are entire and palmately five-lobed. Greenish white flowers are borne in clusters in the leaf axils from May to August followed by hanging ropes of berries that turn red in autumn

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

2.5-4 metres

Max Spread

1.5-2.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
1–2 years
Max Spread
1.5-2.5 metres
Max Height
2.5-4 metres

Growing Conditions

Clay Loam Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained or Well–drained
pH
Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun Partial shade
Aspect
East–facing or North–facing or South–facing or West–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
Cucurbitaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
Yes
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Climbing
Potentially harmful
Harmful if eaten. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling. Pets (dogs): Harmful if eaten - see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants for further information and useful contact numbers
Genus
Name Status
Correct
Plant Range
Europe, N Africa, SW Asia

How to Grow

Cultivation

Prefers well-drained, rich soils. Occurs naturally in hedgerows and woods. For more information see bryony

Propagation

Propagate by seed

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Wildlife gardens

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free