I just love Bittersweet - I love the way it looks rambling over fences, when the berries are bright & of cours dried! Problem is I can't find it anywhere here. It has a bad rep due to it's "invasiveness". It can tagle up trees and the like, but not if it's cared for properly. I even search all those catolgs that come in so very often, with no luck. Does anyone have a source or any suggestions?
You can buy Bittersweet plants online at gurneys plant and seed company. go to www.gurneys.com I believe they are 9.95 a plant It is beautiful in the fall.
I used to see it in the Forestfarm catalog. I think they carry native American bittersweet, rather than the asian variety (that's the invasive one that's gotten the bad rep.)
Someone once told me you need to have a male & a female plant to get berries. Not sure if it's true, but you might ask when ordering. It might save you some trouble later. :)
Isn't it funny how I see Bittersweet growing wild along the parkways & in parking lots and other"wooded" spots & yet I can't seem to find it! - Gurney's looks like the one - but do you really think the male/female thing is true
I suspect that it is not a common nursery plant for a few reasons but probably because propagation is difficult. Trumpet vine is the same way, gorgeous wild but you must be very respectful when transplanting vines.
Good luck with your search, make sure the latin (genus, species) are listed in the catalog or they are probably selling the invasive Asian form.
Graceann, yes you do have to have one male to go with the female plants to get fruit. American Bittersweet is CELASTRUS scandens. And Gurneys does have it.
Bittersweet anyone?
Posted - Nov 21 2006 : 02:57:45 AM
