American Bittersweet vs Cornelian Cherry Dogwood - TreeTime.ca

American Bittersweet vs Cornelian Cherry Dogwood

Cornus mas

Celastrus scandens

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON

Cornelian Cherry Dogwood
American Bittersweet

Cornelian Cherry Dogwood is an ornamental plant with a variety of uses as it can be grown as a shrub, small tree, hedge, or privacy screen. The bright yellow flowers grow in clusters and bloom in late winter to early spring, providing an early food source for pollinators. They are visually striking as the flowers bloom before the leaves appear and last for several weeks.

Red, cherry-like fruits are produced in midsummer. They are edible but are better suited for preserves and syrups as the taste is fairly sour and astringent, similar to that of sour cherries and cranberries.

The Cornelian Cherry Dogwood was the winner of the Gold Medal Award from The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society as well as the Cary Award for having superior landscape appeal and for being winter hardy and pest resistant.

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.

Cornelian Cherry Dogwood Quick Facts

American Bittersweet Quick Facts

Zone: 4a
Zone: 3a
Height: 6 m (20 ft)
Height: 6 m (20 ft)
Spread: 5 m (15 ft)
Spread: 1.8 m (6 ft)
Moisture: normal
Moisture: normal
Light: partial shade, full sun
Light: full sun
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: no
Berries: red
Berries: red-orange, toxic to mammals
Flavor: sour
Flowers: yellow
Flowers: small white clusters
Growth rate: slow
Growth rate: medium
Life span: medium
Life span: medium
Suckering: medium
Suckering: medium




Toxicity: All parts of plant are toxic to humans
Other Names: cornelia cherry, cornelia cherry dogwood, cornelian cherry, cornelian cherry dogwood, european cornel