American Bittersweet

Planting & Care for American Bittersweet Vines

Preparation

• Easily grown in most soils. Best in lean to average soils with regular moisture in full sun. Lean soils help restrain growth.
• Will grow in part shade, but needs full sun for best flowering and subsequent fruit display. 
• Vines may be grown on structures or allowed to ramble along the ground. It is generally best to avoid growing vines up small trees or through shrubs because vines grow rapidly and can girdle trunks and branches causing damage and sometimes death.
• Plant is woodland gardens, naturalized areas. Provides quick cover for fences, arbors, trellises, posts, walls or other structures in the landscape. Also may be grown along the ground to camouflage rock piles or old tree stumps.

Opening Plant Material

• Bare Root - Cut open the bundle (top and roots are tied) and separate all the plants. Soak roots in buckets of water until planted. Each plant type will be labeled separately for identification. Do not expose the roots to sun. They should never dry out. Keep roots covered. All bare-root plants must be trimmed when planted. 

Planting Bare Root

• Plant Bare root in fall. A good indicator if you can still plant is if the ground is still workable you’re good to go. If a hard frost is expected be sure to hold off on planting.
• Dig a hole at least 6" wider and the same depth as the root mass. The crown or graft of the plant should be slightly higher than ground level where it was grown at the nursery.
• Trim off the broken roots and branches.
• Place fertilizer packets in hole (if purchased). Do not place other fertilizers in the planting hole. *Use Our Recommended Fertilizer.
• Spread the roots and fill halfway with soil, then water until soil settles completely saturating the soil and planting pit.
• Re-adjust plant and fill the hole with the rest of the soil.
• Back fill the balance of the soil and water well. 
• See our link below “Handling & Planting Guidelines” for illustrations on planting.   

Pruning - After Planting

• Bare Root - Prune ALL bare root plants to reduce transplant shock and ensure success. Pruning should occur either before or as soon after planting as possible. All pruning should be done with a sharp pruning shears.

Pruning - Through-out the Season

• Prune in late winter to early spring. Mature vines require little pruning other than removal of dead or excess growth.

Watering - After Planting

• Plants typically take approximately 6 weeks to establish new roots in your soil. During this period, water plants as often as every 2-4 days at the start and at least a minimum of once per week.
• Beyond the 6 week establishment period, water once per week, unless rains occur.
• Stick your finger into the soil around 3” to check soil moisture.

Watering - Through-out the Season

• After the first season, plants should only be watered during extended periods without rain.
• How do you know if your plants need water? The easiest way to tell is to touch the soil around the roots. If it is moist, there is no need to water. If it is dry, give it a good soaking with the hose end (no nozzle) watering the soil only, not the leaves.
• Stick your finger into the soil around 3” to check soil moisture.

Go to our "Plant Features & Video Tab" for more information & tips on caring and maintaining this plant.