About
Celastrus scandens is a vigorous deciduous vine characterized by its oval-shaped foliage. It produces clusters of small greenish-yellow blooms, which are succeeded by clusters of orange-yellow fruits that eventually split open to reveal bright scarlet seeds.
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, Clay, Loam, Sand
- Soil pH
- Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Well-drained
- Aspect
- South-facing, West-facing, East-facing, North-facing
- Exposure
- Exposed, Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H7
Plant details
- Plant type
- Climber Wall Shrub
- Habit
- Climbing
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Height
- 8-12 metres
- Spread
- 4-8 metres
- Time to full height
- 10-20 years
- Native to
- N America
- 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
- Prefers full sun and a well-drained soil
- Pruning
- Pruning group 11 in late winter or early spring
- Propagation
- Propagate by softwood cuttings or root cuttings
- Pest resistance
- Generally pest-free
- Disease resistance
- Generally disease-free