Celastrus flagellaris

Celastrus flagellaris is a woody vine in the Celastraceae family. It is deciduous: it sheds its leaves for winter. Its home range covers parts of temperate East Asia. It grows in the southern Russian Far East. Its range also spans northern China and Korea. It grows in central and southern Japan as well. Wild plants grow in Japan’s mountains and China’s river valleys. They also grow in woods by rivers, thickets, and sunny slopes.

This fast-growing vine can reach about 25 feet [7.5 metres]. It needs ample room and a strong place to climb. Its stems twine, and hooked prickles help them grip supports. An old tree can serve as a living support. The vine suits woodland gardens and climbs toward the light. Give it room to grow, not a small border space.

Flowers appear in June, and bees pollinate them. Each plant bears either male or female flowers. Grow both sexes if you want to get seed. A lone plant cannot pollinate itself to set seed. The seeds ripen in October. Sun on the upper growth helps the vine bear fruit. Each seed has a covering called an aril. This can slow the seed’s growth when it sprouts. Remove the aril before you sow seeds to raise plants.

Choose deep, rich loam and keep the soil moist. The vine also grows in sandy soil and clay. It accepts slightly acid, neutral, or slightly alkaline soil. Full sun and part shade both suit the vine. You can also plant it at the edge of woods. PFAF lists USDA hardiness zones 4–8 for this plant. It needs no routine pruning, but does need growing space. Choose its support with its fast growth in mind. The evidence names no pests or diseases specific to this species.

Young leaves have a recorded use as food when cooked. PFAF gives the plant a low rating for food use. It lists no known hazards. This does not mean that every part is safe. PFAF records no other practical uses for the plant. Grow new plants from seed, layers, or root cuttings. Three months of cold treatment helps the seeds sprout. Keep young plants under glass through their first winter. Plant them out once the risk of frost has passed. You can layer the current season’s shoots in August. This takes about a year.