• slide
  • slide
  • slide
  • slide
  • slide
  • slide
  • slide
  • slide
Bittersweet-Hasnt-Produced-Blooms-or-Berries.jpg

Bittersweet Hasn't Produced Blooms or Berries

We have several bittersweet vines that never produce blooms or berries. I added a male plant last year, but that didn't help. How can I get these vines to produce their signature red fruit? 

Your new plant may not have flowered this first season.  Thus no pollen to fertilize the females and produce fruit.  Or you may have all male plants and in that case no females to produce the fruit.   Watch for flowers next spring.  Then get out a hand lens and check the flower parts.  The male blossoms have pin-like structures called stamens while the females have a swollen vase-like structure in the center called a pistil.  You may need to add a female plant or two if you currently have all male plants. Too much nitrogen can also interfere with flowering and fruiting.  Avoid high nitrogen fertilizers and consider having your soil tested.  

Related

Upcoming Live Events
& Webinars


May 17, 2025
Ask the Plant Doctor Q&A
Ebert's Greenhouse Village
Ixonia, WI

May 18, 2025
Ask the Plant Doctor Q&A
Ebert's Greenhouse Village
Ixonia, WI

June 4, 2025
FREE WEBINAR:
Attracting Hummingbirds

Register here

June 8, 2025
Selecting the Right Hydrangea
for Your Landscape

Ebert's Greenhouse Village
Ixonia, WI

June 14, 2025
Houseplants 101
Ebert's Greenhouse Village
Ixonia, WI

June 20, 2025 (event 6/20-6/22)
Pollinator Celebration
Vino in the Valley
Maiden Rock, WI
Register here

WATCH ON-DEMAND WEBINARS

Learn More

Book an Appearance

Learn More

Enter to Win

The Birds & Blooms' Ultimate Gardening Guide  

ENTER NOW