I stepped out of my truck today and viewed gorgeous blue holly (Ilex x meserveae sp.) and bittersweet (Celastrus orbiculatus) growing in a tangled mess.

If you live in a cave you should know that bittersweet is invasive in Connecticut and against the law to plant.  You’ll often see it growing along the side of the road.

Here’s a picture with the bittersweet in focus

This is what the beautiful mess looks like

Over time the bittersweet will block light to the holly and wrap around it’s branches strangling it.

Bittersweet and holly do look great together in the fall.