I had bittersweet growing in my Massachusetts garden and it took over everything. I dont know if it is the same as American bittersweet, but I would really research it before planting it. Mine was extremely aggressive and almost impossible to get rid of once established. Sorry, and I hope I'm writing about a different vine. Kat

I got my bittersweet from these people http://www.djroger.com/more_culture_info_on_bittersweet.htm

Mine is still in the establishing stage. You need to get a female and male to have berries and I would get 2 year old vines if you want to have it soon.

Bittersweet can be a weed --check your local restrictions.

To use cut, it is harvested just before the interior "berry-like" structure is exposed. It opens very quickly. Most folks I've seen hang it up-side-down to dry some before using.

Hi all~I have the invasive Oriental bittersweet growing on my back fence. (I didn't plant it). I was advised NOT to plant American bittersweet, because it can hybridize with the Oriental bittersweet, and result in an even more resistant strain.