Pahl’s Plant of the Month – October

by | Oct 8, 2012 | Market News

‘Autumn Revolution’ Bittersweet – An Improvement of a Beloved Native Vine

By Dave Schreier

‘Autumn Revolution’ Bittersweet berries are larger than the species and are eye-catching in autumn floral arrangements

We are often asked by our customers how to tell the difference between a male and female bittersweet vine, since only female vines produce the colorful fall berries.  The answer we give is often unsatisfactory since few gardeners want to wait three years until the plants are old enough to bloom to see which vines produce berries.  When our customers hear the disappointing answer, we take the opportunity to show them a “revolution” in American Bittersweet breeding.  Bailey Nurseries in Newport, Minnesota, has developed a new variety of bittersweet (Celastrus scandens ‘Bailumn’) and given it the name ‘Autumn Revolution’ that produces both male and female plants and flowers.  ‘Autumn Revolution’ produces an exceptional amount of fruit with berries twice the size of the species.  Our customers are surprised to see the small one gallon containers we sell with plants already producing berries.

American Bittersweet is a native of our northern forests and is an old but still popular favorite vine.  It is a high-climbing twiner that matures to 25 feet or more and it winter hardy to  ̵ 50º.  It has rich green foliage and the stems thicken year by year and should be grown on a strong support.  The plant produces a panicle shaped flower that blooms in June.  The orange-red fruit ripens as the leaves fall off usually after the first hard frost in October.  The berries can last all winter even when they are brought into the house to be used as decorations.

American Bittersweet can be grown in full sun or light shade (4 to 6 hours of light) and adapts to any well-drained soil.  It is most effective and least troublesome if grown on sturdy fences or arbors or encouraged to clamber over rock outcrops, brick walls, or embankments.  The mature plants can be pruned in early spring.

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4 Comments

  1. jim

    What price of autumn revolution bittersweet vines?

    Reply
    • Chris Kaufenberg

      Hi Jim, we carry the Autumn Revolution Bittersweet vine in a one gallon pot for $14.99.

      Reply
  2. Neil speer

    I,m interested in revolution bittersweet plants. Was looking for larger sizes as i,I, like to see some berries.i have 4 – 10 year old plants that are 35 or 40 ft long but no berries. Could you tell me the cost of your larger plants and about what size they are and when they are available. Thank you. N Speer

    Reply
    • Chris Kaufenberg

      Thanks for checking with us Neil, we will carry the Autumn Revolution Bittersweet in a #2 gallon container for the 2021 season for $39.99. Please call us at (952) 431-4345 or email info@pahls.com with any other questions.

      Reply

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