Celastrus orbiculatus Diana

Celastrus orbiculatus Diana is a vigorous climbing bush, whose generous fruiting remains decorative from the end of summer until late in the season. These fruits are grouped in small bicoloured clusters, with yellow capsules opening to reveal a red-orange pearl. These lovely fruits will ensure visits from birds that love them, but don't imitate them, the seed is toxic!  The deciduous foliage takes on a beautiful yellow colour in autumn. 'Diana' is a female variety that requires the presence of a male cultivar to bear fruit.

Celastrus orbiculatus Diana belongs to the family of Celastraceae, just like spindles. The variety, called Oriental Bittersweet, is native to China, eastern Siberia, Japan and Korea. It is a very vigorous woody plant with rapid growth that can climb up to 12 m (39ft) in height. In nature, it twines around trees, often impeding their development. Oriental Bittersweet is usually a dioecious plant, with male and female individuals. Only the female individuals bear fruit, in the presence of a male plant. The plant develops strong vines that can measure up to 10 cm (4in) in diameter, initially reddish-brown in colour. With time, the bark becomes greyish. The foliage consists of simple, alternate, ovate-shaped leaves with toothed edges, measuring 8 to 10 cm (3 to 4in) in length. In the Diana variety, it is a fairly light green, but turns yellow before falling in autumn. Flowering takes place from May-June to July depending on the climate. It takes the form of small clusters that emerge from the axils of the leaves or, more rarely, from the terminal ends of the branches. These are small inconspicuous green to yellow-green flowers. After pollination, numerous fruits form which ripen as early as September. Each fruit consists of a bright yellow capsule that opens into three valves, revealing three fleshy arils of a very bright orange-red, each containing 1 or 2 brown seeds. It is birds that disperse the seeds. The bittersweet's roots are shallow but extensive.

Celastrus orbiculatus Diana is perfect for decorating a pergola, a large fence, a pylon, a trellis or a large building. If you want to associate it with a tree, choose an older and larger subject that can withstand its competition. Very resistant to cold, this bush is undemanding in terms of soil, but it needs some moisture to thrive. Its fruits bring colourful touches to the garden from autumn onwards. Its branches covered with berries can also wwork well with autumn foliage and Echinaceas for example. In moist soil, it can climb a large Nyssa sylvatica, for example, the combination of their autumn colours will be magnificent. Its association with a vigorous Virginia creeper such as Parthenocissus quinquefolia is also stunning!