Bittersweet – For the Holidays
Easily grown in most soils. Does best with regular moisture. Will grow in part shade but will have a better fruit display if located in full sun.
Prune latewinter or early spring. Mature vines require little pruning just remove all dead or excessive growth material.
Female plants need a male pollinator to produce the orange berries in fall. One male plant is needed for about 6 females.
Vines may be grown on structures or allowed to ramble along the ground. Space the vines about 3 to 6 feet apart. They will rapidly grow to 20 feet tall; they are very vigorous plants. Hardy to zone 3; we are zone 5b.
The flowers determine the sex of the plant. The male plant has stamens and the female plant has a pistil.
Bittersweet-Male
Bittersweet-Female
As you can see they are very similar. Bittersweet is very popular for fall decoration.