Fun Facts

Bittersweet

Bittersweet is a decorative climbing vine that was brought to the United Sates in the 1860’s, and while some consider it destructive and invasive, others love it for its beauty in autumn decor. It is a hardy vine which grows rampantly and can be found in the wild in the Northeastern United States. It has reddish brown creeping stems and its leaves have clusters of tiny yellow and orange berries that bloom in time for autumn floral arrangements.

If left unregulated Bittersweet vines will literally take over the landscape, smothering everything, including trees, shrubs, and other plants. The vines can become so heavy as they wrap around a tree that the tree becomes uprooted. Therefore the bittersweet plant is listed as a national invasive species by the Department of Agriculture (S. Wigglesworth).

On the positive side, Bittersweet vines are versatile, pliable, and eye catching decorations for they bend to any shape and are an excellent accent to a wreath or any free form piece of artwork. The vines should be used in either a cool indoor room or outside, for in a warm room the berries will fall off, staining whatever they touch. Do any decorating when the berries and vines are green and more pliable and easier to put into wreath or vase. For if you wait until the berries are red the vines will be more brittle and the berries will fall off.

The debate over the positive ornamental use vs the hugely negative invasive attack of the killer vine continues today, with the negative facts far outweighing the positive.

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