About
Celastrus orbiculatus is a vigorous deciduous vine characterized by its rounded foliage that turns a butter-yellow hue in the fall. The flowers are small and greenish, leading to yellow fruits that may burst open to reveal bright scarlet seeds. A hermaphroditic variety exists, allowing for fruit production from a single specimen. This species can reach lengths exceeding 12 meters as it twines and climbs.
About the genus
Celastrus consists of rapidly growing deciduous vines, and occasionally evergreen varieties, characterized by their climbing or twining stems. The leaves are arranged alternately, and the flowers are small and greenish, often going unnoticed. These plants produce appealing fruits after flowering, with male and female blooms typically found on different individuals.
Growing conditions
- Sunlight
- Full sun, Partial shade
- Soil type
- Chalk, Loam, Sand
- Soil pH
- Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Well-drained
- Aspect
- North-facing, West-facing, East-facing, South-facing
- Exposure
- Exposed, Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H6
Plant details
- Plant type
- Climber Wall Shrub, Shrubs
- Habit
- Climbing
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Height
- 8-12 metres
- Spread
- 4-8 metres
- Time to full height
- 10-20 years
- Native to
- NE Asia
- Toxicity
- Harmful if eaten. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling Pets (dogs, cats): Harmful if eaten - see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants for further information and useful contact numbers
Care notes
- Cultivation
- Grows best in well-drained soil in full sun, but will tolerate partial shade. To ensure fruit production, plant a male and a female together. Can be grown up large trees of at least 10m in height. Strong supports are needed for this vigorous species
- Pruning
- Pruning group 11 in spring or winter
- Propagation
- Propagate by seed in containers in an open frame as soon as ripe, or in spring as soon as ripe, or in spring. Root cuttings in winter or semi-ripe cuttings in summer
- Pest resistance
- Generally pest-free
- Disease resistance
- Generally disease-free