Celastrus orbiculatus
Oriental bittersweet, Staff vine
Also known as Celastrus articulatus
- Height × spread
- 12m × 12m
- Position
- Full sun
- Hardiness
- Very cold to -20C (RHS H6)
- Flowers
- Autumn
Availability
Please ask in store about availability
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
This handsome and vigorous climber is grown for its leaves and ornamental fruit. The leaves are broadly ovate, shiny green with impressed veining and they hang downwards, covering the surface upon which the plant climbs. The foliage turns yellow in autumn before leaf fall. Brown seed capsules split to show their yellow lining and the bright red seeds. The fruit is poisonous and birds tend not to eat it. Given good humus rich soil in sun or part shade, this should reach around 12m (40ft) in both height and spread.
- Foliage colour
- Green
- Autumn foliage
- Yellow
- Fruit colour
- Red, Yellow
- Variegated
- No
- Scent
- No
- Shape
- Fan
- Height
- 12m
- Spread
- 12m
- Height in 10 years
- 3m
- Spread in 10 years
- 3m
- Season of interest
- Autumn, Winter
- Flowers in
- Autumn
- Evergreen
- Deciduous
- Garden style
- Winter garden, Seaside garden, Prairie garden
- Sun or shade
- Likes full sun, likes part shade, likes light shade
- Soil type
- Chalk, Clay, Gravelly soil, Loam (normal), Sandy soil
- Soil pH
- All types
- Drainage
- Moisture retentive soil, Well drained soil
- Hardiness
- Very cold to -20C (RHS H6)
- Borders & containers
- Borders
- Use for
- Wall cover, Structural
- Walls
- North, South, East, West facing
- Hazards
- Yes, stems are prickly/thorny and potentially harmful; Humans: Harmful if eaten
Spring
Spring-Autumn · Outdoors
Water to keep the soil moist
For best results, this plant needs soil that is always moist. Water deeply and regularly as soon as soil appears dry. Even for established plants in the ground, a dry week can cause problems with some soils. Check plants in pots more often, especially in hot weather. Or install an automatic irrigation system which will do the hard work for you, even when you are away on holiday.
Without regular watering some plants never fully regain their beauty.
Summer
Summer - early · Outdoors
Feed a general fertiliser
Where plants have moderate needs for nutrients, they can simply be given a general feed, fairly early in the growth season so that the growth has plenty of time to harden off before the cold weather.
Give plants a general boost with the application of a general purpose fertiliser which is spread around the root area of the plant, with amounts as directed on the feed label.
Summer-Autumn · Planting
Support tall stems
The plant may require support for long stems. Provide an artificial frame which it can grow through, or loosely tie the whole plant. A network of twigs can be woven together to provide a framework through which the plant can grow.
Tall stems can lean or be battered by weather. Support the plant to keep its vertical lines, aiming for a natural appearance which is easy on the eye.
Winter
Winter - late · Planting
Prune to maintain the plant
Remove and dead or damaged branches or any growth that looks very untidy. Trim the plant back if necessary to keep it within bounds.