Alabama supplejack (Berchemia scandens)
Discover Alabama supplejack (Berchemia scandens), a vigorous woody vine native to the US Southeast, ideal for low-maintenance native gardens.
Complete Plant Information
Overview
Alabama supplejack (Berchemia scandens) is a robust and fast-growing woody vine prized for its ability to cover large structures or sprawl naturally across diverse landscapes. This native plant adds essential vertical drama to woodland borders or native plant installations throughout the Central and Southeast United States. Gardeners appreciate Berchemia scandens for its tough constitution and minimal input requirements once established.
Known by several common names including supple-jack, this vine features distinctive smooth, gray-green bark on its tough stems, which can reach impressive heights of 60 feet. In mid to late spring, Berchemia scandens produces small, subtle greenish-white flowers, followed by attractive blue fruits in the autumn that appeal to local songbirds.
Whether utilized as a high-climbing specimen in a wooded area or allowed to trail along dry glades, Alabama supplejack offers excellent habitat and aesthetic texture with low maintenance demands. Its adaptability across soil moisture levels truly sets this native vine apart for practical regional gardening solutions.
Fast Facts
- Plant Family: Rhamnaceae
- Plant Type: Vine
- Native Range: Central and southeast United States
- Hardiness Zones: USDA Zones 6-9
- Size at Maturity:
- Height: 20-60 ft
- Spread: 6-12 ft
- Bloom Time: May to June
- Bloom Description: Greenish-white
- Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade
- Water Needs: Medium
- Maintenance Level: Low
How to Grow
Planting Berchemia scandens is best accomplished in spring or fall to take advantage of moderate temperatures and establish the root system before intense seasonal extremes. This vine prefers average soils, though it shows remarkable flexibility, tolerating conditions ranging from dry uplands to wetter bottomland areas. Ensure it has a sturdy support structure if you intend for it to climb vertically, as maturity brings significant woody growth.
Once established, maintenance for Alabama supplejack is significantly low. While it requires medium water when actively setting fruit or during prolonged dry spells, its inherent drought tolerance means frequent irrigation is usually unnecessary. Fertilization is rarely required; rich soils may encourage overly aggressive growth.
Pruning can be employed to control size or shape, especially where the vine might overwhelm other plantings. In early spring, dormant pruning is ideal for removing any winter damage or directing the growth habit of the vine. This inherent hardiness makes Berchemia scandens a reliable selection even for novice gardeners looking for substantial cover.
Landscape Uses
The versatility of Berchemia scandens allows it to fill unique roles within the landscape. It excels as a woody vine integrated into woodland gardens, where it can climb native trees, restoring the vertical structure found in natural habitats. For designers focusing on ecology, its use in rain gardens is suggested, leveraging its tolerance for various moisture regimes to manage runoff effectively.
Consider planting Alabama supplejack where you require rapid coverage or natural screening along a property boundary edge bordering a woodland. It pairs well with other robust native shrubs and perennials that thrive in similar light conditions, such as native hickories or understory dogwoods. The fine texture of its leaves contrasts nicely with broader-leafed woodland associates.
When allowed to sprawl at the base of a slope or among rocks, the vine acts as an effective groundcover, stabilizing soil and suppressing weeds, showcasing its dual habit adaptability noted in its natural preferences.
Standout Features
Flower Qualities
- Showy
Noteworthy Characteristics
Berchemia scandens, commonly known as supple-jack, is a woody vine of the buckthorn family that features tough stems, greenish-white flowers and blue fruits. It is native from Virginia to Missouri south to Florida and Texas. It is typically found in (1) bottomland forests and swampy woods as a twining vine that climbs high into trees and (2) much drier upland limestone glades as a sprawling vine that trails along the ground. Stems have smooth gray-green bark. Ovate to elliptic leaves (to 2.5” long) have distinctive parallel pinnate veins. Small greenish-white flowers bloom in open terminal clusters in mid to late spring. Flowers give way to blue drupes (each 1/4” across) which mature in autumn. The mature fruits are consumed by songbirds such as mockingbirds, warblers, and thrushes, game birds including turkey and northern bobwhite, and small mammals. Genus name honors M. Berchem, French botanist of the 17th century. Specific epithet means “climbing upward” in reference to the climbing habit of this vine. Supple-jack is the name for a strong pliant walking stick made from a plant such as this vine. Vine stems can also be used to make wicker products, hence the additional common name of rattan vine.
Tolerances
- Drought
Potential Problems
This plant demonstrates remarkable resilience, boasting no serious insect or disease problems under typical cultivation conditions in its native range. This low susceptibility to pests and pathogens is a significant benefit for gardeners seeking truly passive, ecologically sound landscape additions.
Because Berchemia scandens is highly adaptable, preventative care often centers on placing it in an appropriate structural environment rather than managing specific threats. Ensure adequate air circulation if planting in dense, humid areas, though even here, major fungal issues are rare for the Alabama supplejack.
Frequently Asked Questions
What hardiness zones is Alabama supplejack suitable for?
Berchemia scandens thrives across USDA Hardiness Zones 6 through 9, making it a reliable perennial choice across much of the Southeast and mid-Atlantic regions.
How large does Berchemia scandens grow?
This vine is vigorous, often reaching mature heights between 20 and 60 feet tall, with a modest spread between 6 and 12 feet once it begins to climb or sprawl.
What sun exposure does Berchemia scandens need?
The Alabama supplejack performs best when sited in locations receiving full sun to partial shade, offering flexibility in placement within a varied landscape design.
When does Berchemia scandens bloom?
The bloom time for this woody vine is typically from May through June, presenting small, greenish-white flowers that herald the coming summer warmth.
Conclusion
Alabama supplejack, Berchemia scandens, provides exceptional structure, wildlife value, and very low maintenance requirements for gardeners in the appropriate climate. Its native adaptability to wet or dry soils secures its place as a foundational plant for sustainable landscape design. Check your local USDA zone compatibility and plan your planting this spring to harness the climbing power of this excellent native vine.
Wildlife Benefits
The fruit production of Berchemia scandens offers seasonally important forage for local fauna. While the flowers are subtly attractive, the subsequent blue drupes maturing in autumn are a critical resource for many bird species. This includes well-known residents like northern bobwhite, turkeys, mockingbirds, and various warbler species that rely on native vines for late-season sustenance.
Beyond direct consumption, the dense, twining growth habit of the Alabama supplejack creates excellent nesting cover and protective shelter throughout the year. For native plant gardens focused on supporting local ecosystems, this vine provides structure that mimics natural forest edge conditions.
Companion Planting
Because Berchemia scandens tolerates both very moist and surprisingly dry conditions, selecting companion plants requires focusing on sun exposure. In sunnier, well-drained areas where it might sprawl, pair it with drought-tolerant native grasses or coneflowers (Echinacea). In shadier spots where it climbs established trees, consider moisture-loving ferns or Hellebores that appreciate similar dappled light.
When using Berchemia scandens as a rain garden component, pair it with other moisture-tolerant natives like swamp milkweed (Asclepias incarnata) or Joe-Pye weed (Eutrochium species). This combination builds a multi-layered, functional landscape that manages water while supporting diverse needs throughout the growing season.
