Bittersweet vine has great fall color that will last a long time. Use it in wreaths, vases, or anywhere to add a touch of fall to your home decor.
Every fall I look around for some bittersweet vine to use in my decor. There's something about the bright red berries with their outer yellow shells, and their flower-like structure that attracts me.
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This bittersweet vine can be found in the woods and along walking trails here in Pennsylvania.
Beautiful Bittersweet Vine
This is what it will look like in the woods. You'll see the yellow berries winding around in the brush in up in the trees. I had to wrestle with some wild rose bushes to get to it, so make sure you're wearing gloves and long sleeves to protect yourself.
Here's the interesting little fact about this vine. It is actually Oriental Bittersweet, Celastrus orbiculatus, not our native American Bittersweet, Celastrus scandens. The two are very similar, but American Bittersweet is not as hardy, has an orange covering, and the berries are on the terminals or ends of branches. Here's a great article explaining differences with a good image comparison. Oriental Bittersweet is considered a noxious invasive weed, so I don't recommend that you ever consider planting it, but if it's growing in the wild, cutting some of it sure can't hurt.
The berries are small and yellow and often in clusters.
Overnight the yellow berries pop open to reveal pretty red-orange ones underneath.
Don't they look like flowers?
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Bittersweet vine is great for making wreaths, and since it's a vine, its easy to wind around itself. Do this right away so you don't lose too many berries, or the yellow shell in the process.
Smaller pieces look great in a simple vase.
Doesn't it scream fall?
The beauty of nature never ceases to amaze me.
Karen
Is there a way to preserve cut vines to reuse ne t fall without all the berries following iff?
Patti Estep
Unfortunately, I am not aware of any way to preserve the bittersweet vines. I've had some that dried well and was able to keep them for a while but eventually, they do seem to break down.
Heather @ new house new home
It's one of my favourite vines. I planted one when we first moved here four years ago, but it hasn't bloomed. Don't think it gets enough sun. So I'll be digging it up in the spring and moving it to a sunnier spot.
Patti
Hi Heather,
That's funny. It grows in the woods here but of course, when you want one then it won't bloom. Murphy's Law?
Thanks for stopping by,
Patti
Judy
I understood that there needs to be a male and female plant in close proximity for blossoms and berries
Patti Estep
Hi Judy,
Ahhh I have heard that about some plants like holly need both male and female to produce berries. I guess the same is true for bittersweet. Thanks for the info.
Patti
Carole West @ Garden Up Green
Love this - I've was out scouting for some berry vines the other day but failed to find anything. We have such weird seasons here - it's still in the 90's in the afternoon here. I like how bendable this stem is simply beautiful and the simplicity is perfect.
Patti
Hi Carole,
Maybe your vines are yet to come since it's still warm in Texas. It's only supposed to reach 70 today. I like it like that. 😉
Have a great day!
Patti