American Bittersweet is a deciduous twining woody vine that is best known for its showy orange-red berries that brighten up fall and winter landscapes. reaching 15-20′ tall/ 3-6′ wide it is not a first choice of birds, however, the fruits hold on during the winter which may provide an additional feast for some in the winter or spring. Bittersweet needs full sun to fruit well, but will tolerate a variety of Zone 3 soil conditions. Caution: Fruits can cause nausea and vomitting if ingested. Female plants need a male pollinator to produce fruit. Be careful that some nurseries do not sell the vines as male or female. Generally one male plant is needed for 6-9 female plants.

NOTE: Be wary of the invasive species, Oriental bittersweet. The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) website includes photos comparing American and Oriental bittersweets. [CLICK HERE]