After years of yanking the pervasive (and invasive) red roots of bittersweet from my garden beds, I am highly paranoid about re-introducing this noxious weed.
But I can’t deny that it is simply beautiful this time of year. I’m constantly seeing it grace all sorts of stylish tables, and long strands are regularly used to drape over doors and wind and twist into beautiful seasonal arrangements. I usually snort at the editor who commissioned this and how he or she clearly has no idea what a nightmare this plant can be if it takes hold.
But I can’t deny the lure of those orange berries with their papery yellow casings, and I can’t help but lust after those pretty twisty branches.
With a quick bit of research, I’ve confirmed what I already knew – it is not compostable (unless you relish that battle). Disposal recommendations include sending it to the landfill (this is logic I don’t fully understand, and I am not going to follow this recommendation) or burning it.
Dilemma solved: I can decorate with abandon, and when it is time to take it down, I can safely burn it in the wood stove.
So, before the snow hits later today, I will bring my pruners with me as I walk the woods and gather the makings of lovely decorations for the long holiday weekend.
Try not to drop any of those pretty berries along the way. Harvesting it for decoration before the birds start eating (spreading) it would be a good way to start pushing back against bittersweet, if only people could be trusted to keep up with all the berries and truly dispose of them all afterward.