SHRUBS

JAPANESE BARBERRY: Fine textured, low growing shrub with good green foliage and red fruits; orange-red fall color. Thorny; suffers winter injury especially during droughty conditions. Redleaf Japanese Barberry and other red cultivars are less hardy. Red-purple foliage color; best color in full sun. Cultivars include: Burgundy Carousel (burgundy-purple), `Crimson Pygmy' (12-18"; red purple), 'Rose Glow' (rosy-red), Ruby Carousel (reddish-purple) . Yellow-leaved cultivars usually lack winter hardiness.

WINTER GREEN BOXWWOD: Small compact evergreen shrub; small oval leaves. Shears well; orangish-brown winter color. Winter drying and burning is a problem in areas exposed to wind and sun. `Green Velvet' and `Wintergreen' (green winter color).

DWARF BUSH HONEYSUCKLE: Fairly dense mound shaped, spreading shrub with coarse textured, honeysuckle-like foliage; bronze colored in spring and fall. Yellow flowers and fruit are partially hidden by leaves. Suckers; prune heavy in spring. Thrives on poor soil.

POTENTILLA: Fine textured green foliage; tolerates drought and alkaline soil. Blooms from mid-spring to late fall; Remove dead flowers; prune in spring to improve shape. Cultivars include: 'Abbotswood' (large white flowers; blue-green foliage), 'Coronation Triumph' (bright yellow, star-like flowers; gray-green foliage. One of the best), Dakota Goldrush (compact; gold-yellow flowers), Dakota Sunspot (compact with a finer texture; bright yellow flowers), 'Gold Drop' (small, golden yellow flowers; fern-like foliage), 'Goldfinger' (large bright yellow flowers; coarse foliage), `Gold Star' (large, yellow gold flowers; compact plant), 'Jackmanii' (large bright yellow flowers; vigorous with coarse dark green foliage), `McKay's White' (soft green foliage; white flowers), `Pink Beauty' (clear often semi-double flowers; very floriferous), `Snowbird' (semi-double white flowers; may be best white), and `Yellow Gem' (low spreading with gray hairy lobed leaves; bright yellow flowers).

BUMALDA SPIREA: Medium small shrubs; 2-3" flower clusters. Flowers on new growth; heavy spring pruning is advised. Freeze back is normal since it is a subshrub; don't like dry exposed areas. Iron chlorosis can be a problem. Cultivars include: 'Anthony Waterer' (deep rose pink flowers), 'Crispa' (rose-pink flowers; deeply toothed and wavy margined leaves), `Dart's Red' (deep red flowers fading to rosy pink; branch sport of `Anthony Waterer'), 'Froebels' (deep pink flowers; hardiest), 'Goldflame' (fading pink flowers; foliage mottled with red, copper and orange in spring and again in fall), 'Goldmound' (pink flowers; yellow to yellow-green color), `Gumball' (compact selection of `Froebels'), `Limemound' (lime green leaves; deep pink flowers).

YUCCA: Desert like plant. Narrow, spiny spike-like gray-green leaves; showy greenish white flowers on tall stalk. Hot dry sites; keep kids away. Accent plant; use in rock gardens.

AZALEA-GLOSSY: green leaves and showy colorful flowers. Prefers cool moist well drained acidic soil and partial shade; plant into peat and use acid fertilizer. Borderline hardiness. Mollis Hybrid (suffers winter damage; flower buds not as hardy as `Northern Lights'), `Lights' series includes: `Golden Lights' (yellow fragrant flowers), `Northern Hi-lights' (creamy white with yellow upper lips), `Northern Lights' (most reliable; rosy-pink flowers), `Orchid Lights' (bushy semi-dwarf; lilac color), `Rosy Lights' (Fragrant dark rosy-pink), `White Lights' (large fragrant white blooms with yellow center).

PJM RHODODENDRON: (hardy but succumbs quickly to root rot in heavy poorly drained sites; plant in slightly raised bed. Lavender flowers and dark green leaves; evergreen. Better bloom if protected from winter sun).

HARRY LAUDER'S WALKING STICK: This shrub reaches a height of 8'-10', with a similar spread. The flowers of Harry Lauder's walking stick are yellowish-brown "catkins," as on pussy willows. The blooms appear in early to middle spring. However, this shrub is not grown primarily for its blooms but for its unusual branching pattern, which is indicated by its other common names: corkscrew filbert and contorted hazelnut. For as you can see from the picture, its branches contort themselves in every which way, resembing corkscrews.

BURNING BUSH: is an excellent large shrub for landscape use. The plant's interesting winged branches add considerable interest to the winter landscape. The vivid pink to bright red fall color is unsurpassed. Reddish fruit, which is most noticeable after the leaves are shed in the fall, also adds to this plant's appeal. However they are not usually heavy fruiters. The summer foliage quality is also attractive with its medium texture and green color. Foliage stays clean and pest free throughout the growing season. Often used for sheared or unsheared hedges. Dwarf Burning Bush-(Dwarf Winged Euonymus)-More compact, finer textured, and lower growing than Winged Euonymus; frequent severe winter dieback. Good fall color

HYDRANGEA (Snowhill): MMany stemmed with large leaves and coarse texture; flat-topped white flowers. North site out of strong wind; high moisture requirement. Cut back at least 1/3 in the spring; flowers on new growth. `Annabelle' (very large infertile, rounded masses of flowers; more upright flower stems. Best).

OAK LEAF HYDRANGEA: The changing display of color, form, and texture is indeed impressive. Spring sees the emergence of large, dark green, leathery leaves that withstand hot sun, strong winds, and heavy rain. In summer, when many shrubs look exhausted, Snow Queen is just beginning its show, sporting imposing, elongated 12- to 15-inch panicles of large, pure white blooms that gracefully mature to pink. This shrub is remarkable both for the number of the bloom panicles it produces and for its unique ability to hold them upright for a magnificent presentation. In fall, the foliage turns a sumptuous burgundy, and the tan-brown bark, which exfoliates with age, begins developing interesting furrows and patches. In winter, the exposed bark and dried flower heads create a stately silhouette.

FLOWERING ALMOND: A burst of showy bright pink, frilly blooms before leaves unfold in spring. Upright but spreading plant. Very hardy. Deciduous

CARYOPTERIS: Sub shrub with dark purple blue flowers over a compact habit and dense dark green foliage. Good deer resistance and summer bloom.

BLUE PRINCESS HOLLY: truly remarkable varieties of Blue Holly, embodying the luxuriant and attractive qualities of English Holly with none of its shortcomings. They adapt well to almost all climates and soil conditions and are very hardy. Blue Prince is one of the few truly ornamental male Hollies, producing large amounts of the pollen necessary to fertilize female Hollies within a wide area. Blue Princess produces multitudes of rich red berries in big, bold clusters that contrast spectacularly with the blue stems. Zones 4-9.

INKBERRY HOLLY: Evergreen leaves, white flowers in early summer, and persistent black berries make this a popular landscaping shrub. Staminate and pistillate flowers are on separate plants. Leaves have a distinctive slight notch near the apex. Common in forested wetlands, but tolerates drier conditions well excellent deer resistance good for use around buildings.

MOUNTAIN LAUREL: is a native American plant. Its natural beauty in a woodland setting is a spring delight. It is the state flower of Pennsylvania. As a result of years of hybridizing and research there are over 80 known varieties available. Mountain Laurel is an evergreen flowering shrub. It grows upright and has beautiful tough glossy foliage. The plants will set buds as early as fall. The buds progress into dainty candy like flowers in the spring (May though July). The plants are striking in the contrast between the buds and flowers. This plant can withstand below zero temperatures and it is sun loving. However, the root systems are fine and shallow. Therefore, there is a need to protect the roots from too much heat and fertilizer. To ensure that the Mountain Laurel you choose flourishes in your garden here are some tips: Plant high and mulch well. Provide shade for the roots with companion plants or with mulch. Water often during growth periods, do not let the plant dry out. Maintain well drained, acidic soil with ample humus. Follow these guide lines and you too can grow the PA State Flower.

PRIVET: Provides a quick, long-lasting hedge up to 15' tall. Glossy foliage all summer. Late spring to early summer white flowers with very sweet fragrance. Space 1-2' apart for a fast tight hedge.

PEEGEE HYDRANGEA: Upright leggy shrub with 2 to 5 thick stems. Conical flower heads with almost all sterile florets in late summer; take on a pink cast as they age. Prefers good moisture and semi-shade. Partially cut back laterals in spring to get larger blooms.

CLETHERA: (summersweet) One of the few to bloom in shade! Fragrant bracts of snowy flowers, dark leathery foliage. Leaves turn red and yrllow in the fall. spreading of 4-6 ft. form Features peeling, orange-tinted bark.

PURPLE SMOKE BUSH: In fall, blue-green leaves turn gold, scarlet and purple. Grows 10-15 ft. Prune to tree or shrub form. Unique light and airy blooms are nice contrast to dark purplish red foliage. Resists pests and disease. Full sun.

FLOWERING QUINCE: Sacrlet orange flowers are show stoppers right after forsythia blooms. The flowers are followed by fragrant fruit that ripens in fall for use in preserves. Grows to 3 ft. with a wider 3-5 ft. spread. Adapts to most soils. Blooms best in full sun but tolerates some shade.

YELLOWTWIG DOGWOOD: Bright yellow-green twigs and young branches; lose color with age. Cut back to rejuvenate; likes moisture. Grow on north or east for best twig color. Susceptible to winter burn or sunscald; needs winter shade. Scales and canker can be a problem. `Bud's Yellow' (appears to be more resistant to dieback and canker). `Silver and Gold' (yellow stems with creamy-margined, variegated leaves).

FORSYTHIA: Open upright growth habit; yellow flowers appear before leaves. Spring frost may damage flower buds. Don't like wet areas. Cultivars which are more reliable flowering, hardier and very similar include: `Meadowlark' (8-11';denser growth habit) and `Northern Gold' (smaller in size).

WEIGELA: This deciduous shrub is a native of Japan and is an excellent addition to the home landscape. It is tolerant of a wide range of conditions except extremely dry. It is pollution tolerant. In May or June will get a profuse display of blooms with pink, white and red being the most common colors. It Blooms on new growth so don't be afraid to prune it. Use a rose fertilizer or a fertilizer high in potash in mid spring and again in midsummer. 6-9' high to 9-12' wide but will remain smaller in more harsh environments. It regularly reblooms. A nice flowering shrub to hide the dog coop or the LP gas tanks.

WEIGELA: "Wine and Roses", also known as Weigela "Alexandra".Dark burgundy-purple foliage really show off the rosy-pink flowers, which show in late spring to early summer. Full sun will bring the darkest leaf color. Can attract hummingbirds. Definitely attracts humans. Great planted with perennials and it's stems and flowers can be used in bouquets. Easy to grow with very few insect or disease problems. Grows to 4-5 feet high and wide. It is smaller than the common Weigela.

DWARF NINEBARK: Fine textured and fairly dense, but tends to open with age. Slow growing; white flowers. Winter dieback may occur during drought conditions. Tolerates partial shade; `Snowfall' (more compact green leafed form of Common Ninebark with larger, more showy flowers; larger and coarser than Dwarf). Yellow or golden-leaved cultivars, which tend to fade in summer, include: Golden Ninebark has best color in full sun. `Darts Gold' (slightly more compact). `Diablo' (Purple-leaved cultivar).

PURPLELEAF SANDCHERRY: (Prunus cistena)-Purple-red foliage and small pink flowers. Upright open plants; tends to die out in center with age. May winter kill in exposed areas; tends to be shorter lived. Tip dieback is common; regular pruning is needed. Don't use in hedges. This is a nice color accent plant.

VAN HOUTTE SPIREA: Arching branches with clusters of white flowers; don't prune in spring. Heavy snow may break down branches. Prefers above average moisture; iron chlorosis and rabbits can be a problem. May become leggy and require rejuvenation by pruning after flowering.

ARROWWOOD VIBURNUM: Vigorous upright coarse shrub; glossy dark green leaves. Clusters of small white flowers and shinny bluish-black fruits; good bird food. Partial shade; likes good moisture. Red to yellow fall color; does poorly in droughty or alkaline sites.

COMMON CARAGANA: (Siberian Peashrub)-Large fine textured shrub with a coarse growth habit; yellow pea-like flowers. Leggy unless pruned when young; drought and alkaline tolerant. Foliage darkens and becomes duller as season progresses; Rarely recommended for ornamental planting. Following cultivars can be grafted onto Common Peashrub but suckering occurs: `Pendula' (weeping form), `Walker' (very fine leafed; weeping form; sprawling shrub).

AMERICAN CRANBERRYBUSH VIBURNUM: Upright growing shrub for sun or partial shade; flat clusters of white flowers and red fruits. Good for jelly or birds. Excellent red-orange fall colors. Most Viburnums don't perform well in dry, highly stressful sites. Good resistance to Honeysuckle Aphid. `Wentworth' (larger fruits). Cranberrybush Viburnum-similar in size and shape with smaller clusters of red fruits; highly unpalatable and astringent unless frosted and cooked.

SHADBLOW, JUNEBERRY: (Upright spreading large native shrub/small tree which suckers. Early white flowers; dark blue edible fruits which attract birds. Yellow fall color. Difficult to propagate except by sucker shoots. Nice native for wildlife foods. When the petals drop to the ground the shad will be running in the river, hence the name "Shadblow".

LILAC: (Persian) (Rouen)-Medium fine textured foliage, compact growth and non suckering; large lavender-pink or white fragrant flower panicles. Late May-early June; heavy bloomer. Prune just after flowering; lilacs are slow to bloom. Like full sun and well drained soil; very hardy. Best lilac for borders, hedges, masses, and screens. High recommendation.

COMMON (FRENCH HYBRED): Lilac-Large upright shrub with medium texture; leathery foliage. Large fragrant lilac colored flower panicles; suckers badly. Tend to be leggy; prune just after flowering. Likes full sun and well drained soil; no fall color. Lilac Borers can be a problem. Cultivars may be single or double flowering; many don't sucker: `Charles Joly' (double magenta; very fragrant), `Ellen Willmott' (double white), `President Lincoln or Pesident Grevy Blue' (blue), `Ludwig Spaeth' (single purple), `Mme. Lemoine' (double white), `Monge' (single purple), `President Lincoln (single blue; very fragrant), `Sensation' (single purple with white edge).

TAMARISK: Tall leggy shrub with scale-like foliage; large clusters of tiny pink flowers (August). Does well in sterile sandy soils; also saline soil. Likes full sun; flowers on new growth. Stems may freeze back in severe winters; Bare root difficult to transplant. Hard to use in landscape; leaf texture doesn't blend well with other plants. It's a tallish feathery texture. Prune it back so it doesn't look leggy and out of place. `Summerglow' (deeper pink flowers).

BUDDLEIA: Butterfly Bush- Beautiful flowering shrub, makes good cut flowers. Can be planted in very nearly any landscape site. Butterfly bush is an old favorite of many gardeners, however it's popularity comes and goes with the passage of time. Butterfly bush holds it foliage into the fall season but does not show any fall color. Butterfly bush flowers from June-July to fall and colors vary from white, pink, lavender, purple and to near red, depending on the variety. Butterfly bush prefers a well-drained, moist, loamy type soil and tolerates heat and drought after it becomes well established. Butterfly bush will attract hoards of bees and butterflies to your garden. Butterfly bush can grow 5 to 10 feet high and wide, but can be trimmed to 4 to 6 feet. The more you trim, the more it blooms. It wakes up very late in our climate so be patient. Don't dig it up. New shoots come from the crown but not till the end of may! Don't worry by August it will be 4-5 feet tall! Plant is hardy in zones 5 through 9.

ROSE OF SHARON: Late summer blooming, large flowers, mildly sweet. Small trees up to 8' with 6' vase like shape spread. Can be eaten before flower blooms or while it's blooming. Petals taste like lettuce but sweeter. Zones 5-8.

WAYFARING-TREE VIBURNUM: Upright shrub with wrinkled coarse textured foliage; small white flowers and red fruits ripening to black. Birds like fruit. Retains leaves to late Nov. Dieback may occur if drought stressed. `Mohican' (more compact, denser, and a little smaller; thick dark green foliage. Fruits maintain red color for longer time before turning black. Likes a little extra water).

CREEPING JUNIPERS: Low growing spreading evergreen; green to silver-blue in color. Root when stem touches ground. Juniper blight and spider mites can be a problem. Cultivars include: Andorra(12-18"; bluish-green color; plum-purple winter color; less desirable type), 'Blue Chip' (8-12"; needs very little pruning; mounds in center. Steel blue all year), `Blue Prince' (8-10"; intense blue color. New introduction from Alberta, Canada), `Dunvegan Blue' (7-10"; bluish-green color), 'Hughes' (12-24"; dull gray-green all year). Prairie Elegance (8-10"; bright grass green color. Vigorous), 'Prince of Wales' (8-10"; medium dark green all year), 'Webber' (8-10"; blue-green color; dense foliage) and 'Wilton' (`Blue Rug') is 3-6"and very flat; silver-blue color; purplish winter color. A Rocky Mt. Juniper selection, Blue Creeper is 1-1 1/2' tall and bright blue in color. Dwarf Japgarden is dense and very prostrate (8-12") but mounds to 18" with age; medium blue color.

SPREADING JUNIPERS:(Chinese-Broad)-Spreading evergreen with horizontal branching and prickly foliage; green to blue-green to bronze color. Winter breakage problem; mites and winterburn. Cultivars include: Maney has a horizontal layered, irregular habit with multiple upright branches; very dull grayish blue color. Coarse; gets very large; Pfitzer (dark green in color), 'Seagreen' ('Mint Julep') is bright green in color, less spiny foliage, rank growth and larger than Pfitzer. `Seagreen Globe' must be sheared to retain globe shape. Golden Pfitzer is the hardiest of the gold types; little winter injury). Cultivar of Rocky Mt. Juniper: 'Winter Blue' (2-3'. Silver blue color; good winter color). Selections of the Common Juniper include: foliage, 1-1 1/2' tall, partial shade tolerance, good winter color and a showy bluish berry-like fruit display and Fair shade tolerance.

GLOBE ARBORVITAE: `Globosa' is globe shaped; bright green foliage. Can get quite large; 6-8'. Minimal pruning needed to maintain shape. Sheltered spot with good moisture; east or north best. May winterburn in sun. Other cultivars include: 'Hetz Midget' (dwarf, 20-36", oval-round shape; foliage in vertical layers), `Little Elfin' (dwarf globe; 30-48'), `Little Gem' (tufty informal mound shape; 3'), `Little Giant' (4' globe; slow growing), `Pygmy Globe' (compact, 2-4'; slow growing), Techny (upright pyramidal; needs pruning to maintain globe shape), `Woodwardii' (good globe shape; very similar to `Globosa' but larger), Umbrella (low mounded form; 3'). Compact yellow or golden-leafed cultivars are usually more subject to winterburn. Deer like to eat arborvitae.

MUGO PINE-COMPACT: Compact, shrubby pine with 2-3" needles; pruning increases compactness. May becomes open and too large without pruning. Less susceptible to winter damage than other evergreens. Pine Needle Scale can be a problem.

NORTHERN BAYBERRY: is a semi evergreen to deciduous shrub typically 5' to 6'; can reach 10' upright, spreading branching habit shape is irregular to mounded multi-stemmed, suckering and colony-forming.

NANKING CHERRY: is a large wide spreading shrub. It can be pruned as a small tree. It is grown primarily for its showy white flowers which cover the plant in early spring. The flowers are borne sessile along the stem. The 1/2" bright red fruit which ripen in early July are edible but a little tart for fresh eating. They make excellent jams and jellies. The pit is quite large in relationship to the fruit size. The fruit is relished by birds. Leaves are dark green with fuzzy undersides. The plant works well as a mass planting or informal hedge. Nanking Cherry is native to northern China and is very cold hardy

PUSSY WILLOWS: are large upright growing shrubs or multi-stemmed small trees. The large, fuzzy, silvery catkins open in late winter or very early spring. They are borne alternately along the young branches. Plants sold in the nursery trade are propagated by cuttings and only male plants are propagated. Leaves are elongated dark green on upper surface, grayish white beneath. It is hardier, has smaller catkins and is smaller in size than Salix caprea.

WITCH HAZEL: is a large rounded shrub that has excellent clear yellow fall color. Its feathery yellow flowers are displayed in October and November. Its leaves are 3-4" long and almost as wide giving the plant a fairly coarse texture. This large plant should be given plenty of space. Used in the landscape as a specimen or in naturalized areas.

SORBARIA SORBIFOLIA: false spirea have pinnate leaves with serrated leaflets. The small, starry white flowers usually in large terminal panicles, have a cup shaped calyx. The fruits are berries. It is commonly called false spirea and can be used to quickly fill an area with almost tropical looking foliage.

VINES

CLEMATIS: Near herbaceous vines with showy flowers; may freeze back in the winter but recommended cultivars will flower on new growth. When growth starts prune back to live wood. Plant in a protected area with well drained soil and adequate moisture; requires cool area around roots. Plant annual flowers or groundcovers at the base to provide shading of the roots. Leaf petioles wrap around trellis. Cultivars include: `Comtesse De Bouchard' ( pink flowers), `Ernest Markham' (red-violet flowers), `Hagley's Hybrid' (light pink flowers), `Henryi' (Large white flowers with a dark center), `Jackmanii' (deep violet flowers), `Ramona' (lavender-blue flowers with dark stamen). Alpine Clematis (C. alpina) grows 12-14' high; over winters to the tips. Blooms in mid May; small pink or blue flowers. Big Petal Clematis (C. macropetala) blooms in late May; small blue, white or pink flowers. Vines over winter to the tips. Ground Clematis (C. recta) reaches 3' in height; large clusters of fragrant, small, white four petaled flowers. Golden Clematis (C. tanguitica) has 1-1½" yellow bell-shaped flowers; can become weedy. Italian Clematis (C. viticella) has small purple, blue or red flowers; late July-August. Solitary Clematis (C. integrefolia) is 3' tall with small blue bell-like flowers; late June to frost. Sweet Autumn Clematis (C. paniculata) has small fragrant white flowers in late August-early September; borderline in hardiness.

HALLS HONEYSUCKLE: Attractive climber; wraps stem around trellis or support. Whit /yellow trumpet shaped flowers; long bloom period when moisture is adequate. Sterile. May suffer slight winter freezeback. Aphids can be a problem but loved by bees and butterflies. Very good vine. Hardiest vine honeysuckle. `Mandarin' (larger flowers and glossy leaves; merits trial). Goldflame Honeysuckle Vine (not as hardy). Trumpet Vine-Vigorous vine with trumpet shaped, orange-scarlet flowers; aerial roots cling to wall or support. Will kill back in open areas but usually flowers on south facing walls but may take 5 years to bloom.

DROPMORE SCARLET HONEYSUCKLE: Attractive climber; wraps stem around trellis or support. Rosy orange trumpet shaped flowers; long bloom period when moisture is adequate. Sterile. May suffer slight winter freezeback. Aphids can be a problem. Very good vine. Hardiest vine honeysuckle. `Mandarin' (larger flowers and glossy leaves; merits trial). Goldflame Honeysuckle Vine (not as hardy). Trumpet

SILVER LACE VINE: Forms a lacy privacy screen fast. Sprays of snowy flowers cover glossy foliage mid-summer to fall. Easy to grow, resistant to both pest and disease. Will grow 12 feet per year climbs well! Instant success! Wisteria- Climbs 20 ft. with an elegant, slightly weeping form. Lavender flower clusters droop gracefully from its branches. Very Aggressive growth habit.

CLIMBING ROSES BLAZE: Golden Showers, Joseph's coat, Continuous blooms, need trellis or fence. Old fashion favorite!

Climbing Hydrangea boasts an exceptional shrub-like habit. Truly spectacular when in flower in midsummer, it climbs without support on walls, arbors, or trees, reaching 60 to 80 feet. Its white flowers, rich green foliage, striking exfoliating bark, and shrub-like growth create all-season interest. This plant needs no support to grow upward -- so you don't have to worry about tying the vine! Just give it a wall, arbor, or other structure to grow against, and up it goes! Also effective as a ground cover, Climbing Hydrangea is easy, carefree, and very long-lived. It can be somewhat slow to establish, but once settled in, it makes excellent growth each year. Zones 4-8.

TRUMPET VINE-VIGOROUS: vine with trumpet shaped, orange-scarlet flowers; aerial roots cling to wall or support. Borderline in hardiness. Will kill back in open areas but usually flowers on south facing walls.

AMERICAN BITTERSWEET: is a twining round fruits in hanging clusters 2 to 4 inches long eventually splitting open to reveal bright red fleshy seeds for a showy Autumn. American bittersweet prefers a sunny location and occurs throughout the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic region. The climbing growth habit of Celastrus scandens, American bittersweet makes it a valuable ornamental plant both outdoors and indoors. It is easily trained to climb walls, trellises, a fences. When added to existing shrub plantings, this twining vine produces excellent wildlife cover and aids in erosion control as well. The berry-like fruits of American Bittersweet are showy and provide winter food for wildlife species such as grouse, pheasant, quail, rabbit, and squirrel. Celastrus scandens leaves are alternate, dark green, oval shaped, and turn yellow before dropping in the fall. Native American bittersweet vine is often confused with the weedy pest Oriental Bittersweet climbing vine capable of a height of 20 feet but more normally found sprawling on fences. American Bittersweet fruits are produced in July - October and are 1/4 inch.