Will bittersweet grow in Arkansas? A friend from Wisconsin brought me some
bittersweet vine last fall. I have saved some the seeds. She said it generally
grows up dead trees. Is this because it chokes the trees out? It is so pretty,
I'd love to be able to grow it here. Help - instructions needed.
Bittersweet does grow in Arkansas. I would prefer to train it to a trellis or fence, not a living tree. It grows quickly and can kill small trees or shrubs by girdling them. The seeds can be slow to germinate. You need to stratify the seeds (place them in moist sand or peat moss and put in the refrigerator) for several months, before planting. Remember, only the female bittersweet sets the wonderful orange seed pods. You won't know which you are getting until bloom, and you need one of each to have fruit. Full sun is best.