American Bittersweet vs Blue Boy Clematis - TreeTime.ca

American Bittersweet vs Blue Boy Clematis

Celastrus scandens

Clematis integrifolia Blue Boy

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON

American Bittersweet
Blue Boy Clematis

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.

Blue Boy Clematis is a cold-hardy, fast growing, woody climbing vine. Hundreds of stunning steel-blue bell shaped flowers adorn the vine throughout the summer that droop and appear to hang in the air. The fibrous stems spread and create a fan-like symmetry shape.

This species will do best with support from a trellis, fence, or even other shrubs or tree stumps.

The Blue Boy Clematis was developed in Manitoba, Canada in 1947 by famous breeder Frank L. Skinner by crossing C. integrifolia x C. viticella, but it didn’t gain popularity until the 1990’s.

American Bittersweet Quick Facts

Blue Boy Clematis Quick Facts

Zone: 3a
Zone: 2b
Height: 6 m (20 ft)
Height: 3 m (10 ft)
Spread: 1.8 m (6 ft)
Spread: 0.6 m (2.0 ft)
Moisture: normal
Moisture: normal, wet
Light: full sun
Light: partial shade, full sun
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: yes
Catkins: no
Catkins: no
Berries: red-orange, toxic to mammals
Flowers: small white clusters
Flowers: steel blue
Growth rate: medium
Growth rate: medium
Life span: medium
Life span: medium
Suckering: medium
Suckering: medium



Toxicity: All parts of plant are toxic to humans