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Climber Wall ShrubShrubs

Celastrus orbiculatus

staff vine

A strong-growing deciduous climber with rounded leaves, colouring butter-yellow in autumn, and inconspicuous greenish flowers followed by yellow fruits which may split to show scarlet seeds. A hermaphrodite form is available, so fruit can appear from a single plant. This is a large species, growing as a twining vine, sometimes to more than 12m

Other common names

oriental bittersweet

Synonyms

Celastrus articulatus

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Ultimate height

8–12 metres

Time to ultimate height

10–20 years

Ultimate spread

4–8 metres

Chalk

Loam

Sand

Moisture

Well–drained

pH

Acid, Alkaline, Neutral

	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Full sun
Partial shade

Aspect

North–facing or West–facing or East–facing or South–facing

Exposure

Exposed or Sheltered

Hardiness
Hardiness ratings
All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets
H1a: under glass all year (>15C)
H1b: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1c: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)

Botanical details

Family: Celastraceae
Native to GB / Ireland: No
Foliage: Deciduous
Habit: Climbing
Potentially harmful: 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
Genus: Celastrus are fast-growing deciduous, rarely evergreen, climbers with scandent or twining stems bearing alternate leaves and inconspicuous greenish flowers followed by attractive fruits. Male and female flowers are often borne on separate plants
Name status: Correct
Plant range: NE Asia

How to grow

Cultivation

Grows best in well-drained soil in full sun, but will tolerate partial shade. To ensure fruit production, plant a male and a female together. Can be grown up large trees of at least 10m in height. Strong supports are needed for this vigorous species

Propagation

Propagate by seed in containers in an open frame as soon as ripe, or in spring as soon as ripe, or in spring. Root cuttings in winter or semi-ripe cuttings in summer

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Wall side borders

Pruning

Pruning group 11 in spring or winter

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free

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