American Bittersweet vs Witch Hazel - TreeTime.ca

American Bittersweet vs Witch Hazel

Celastrus scandens

Hamamelis virginiana

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON - MIGHT RETURN

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON - MIGHT RETURN

American Bittersweet
Witch Hazel

American Bittersweet is a deciduous, woody, perennial vine with striking orange to yellow berries that persist into winter. Indigenous to North America, this vine has become so rare it is now considered a protected species.

Excellent for naturalization projects, American Bittersweet attracts birds and other wildlife. Please keep in mind that the plant is toxic to humans and should not be ingested. To ensure the attractive berries are produced, cross-pollination between a male and female plant must occur.

Witch Hazel is a deciduous shrub, or small tree, with a short trunk, bearing numerous spreading, crooked branches.

The seeds grow in a long, wooden pod with two to four seeds per pod. Upon ripening, the pods burst, firing the seeds up to 30km an hour.

The leaf and bark extract of Witch Hazel has been used as a remedy to common ailments such as inflammation, bruises and much more for many centuries.

American Bittersweet Quick Facts

Witch Hazel Quick Facts

Zone: 3a
Zone: 3a
Height: 6 m (20 ft)
Height: 6 m (20 ft)
Spread: 1.8 m (6 ft)
Spread: 3 m (10 ft)
Light: full sun
Light: any
Moisture: normal
Moisture: wet
Growth rate: medium
Growth rate: slow
Life span: medium
Life span: long
Suckering: medium
Suckering: medium

Toxicity: All parts of plant are toxic to humans

Flowers: small white clusters
Berries: red-orange, toxic to mammals
Seeds: seeds ejected to a distance of up to 30 ft
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: no


Native to: SK, MB, ON, QC, NB
Native to: ON, QC, NS, NB, PE