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American Bittersweet Seeds (Certified Organic)

American bittersweet is a native woody and shrubby climber, growing over trees or fences. Produces a unique orange podded berry that breaks open In the late fall to reveal a vibrant red berry!

Availability: In stock

$3.50
All orders are hand-packaged and may take UP TO FOUR weeks to SHIP.
Thank you for your patience during this time.

Details

American bittersweet is a native woody and shrubby climber, growing over trees or fences. It has smooth thin leaves 2 to 4 inches long and about half as wide. The small greenish-white flowers are produced in June in short clusters. The fruit is a round, orange-yellow capsule that opens in autumn, disclosing the scarlet-colored seed pod. The seed capsules remain on the plant well into the cold season and provide food for birds in the winter. Fruits are eaten by songbirds, ruffed grouse, pheasants, bobwhite, and squirrel. Old fruits are eaten as survival foods by many birds and animals in late winter.

Michigan Seeds and Plants grown on our farm, Renegade Acres, in Howell, MI!

Certified Organic by Oregon Tilth.

Additional Info

Botanical Name Celastrus scandens
Life Cycle Perennial
Min. Time to Germinate 30 Days
Max. Time to Germinate 12 Months
Depth to Sow Seeds 1/16 in.
When to Sow Indoors 10-12 weeks before last spring frost, Indoors 3 months before last spring frost, Outdoors after all danger of spring frost is past, Outdoors in early spring, a month before the last spring frost
Growing Height 20-30 ft. (6-9 m)
Plant Spacing 4-6 ft. (1.2-1.8 m)
Hardiness USDA Zone 4a: to -25F, USDA Zone 4b: to -20F, USDA Zone 5a: to -15F, USDA Zone 5b: to -10F, USDA Zone 6a: to -5F, USDA Zone 6b: to 0F, USDA Zone 7a: to 5F, USDA Zone 7b: to 10F, USDA Zone 8a: to 15F, USDA Zone 8b: to 20F
Sun Exposure Full Sun, Sun to Partial Shade
Danger All parts of plant are poisonous if ingested
Bloom Time Late Summer/Early Fall, Mid-Summer
Foliage Deciduous
Growth Habit Vines & Climbers
Other Details Average Water Needs; Water regularly; do not overwater
Soil pH Requirements 5.1 to 5.5 (strongly acidic), 5.6 to 6.0 (acidic), 6.1 to 6.5 (mildly acidic)
Propagation Methods From seed; direct sow after last frost, From seed; direct sow outdoors in fall, From seed; sow indoors before last frost, From seed; stratify if sowing indoors, From seed; winter sow in vented containers, coldframe or unheated greenhouse, From softwood cuttings
Seed Collecting Allow unblemished fruit to ripen; clean and dry seeds, Properly cleaned, seed can be successfully stored, Remove fleshy coating on seeds before storing
Seeds Per Pack 15