Spotlight On: Euonymus alatus, Burning Bush, Spindle Bush

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  • a stunning shrub in the fall with bright red foliage
  • interesting winged- shaped stems
  • yellowish green insignificant flowers in spring
  • pretty orange-red seeds in winter within a fleshy capsule, which opens and remains
  • deer resistant
  • drought tolerant but does best with some consistent moisture
  • tolerates a wide variety of well-drained soils
  • does best in sun but will tolerate shade
  • toxic to many animals if ingested including humans

This shrub is a stunning addition to a shrub border or placed in front of an evergreen hedge or grouping of conifers. It varies in size depending on moisture and situation but it can reach 10′ high by 6′ wide. Regular pruning will keep it much smaller.

This shrub is an ideal choice for a sunny location where deer proofing is important. Planted with Yews which are a deer resistant conifer and vibrantly coloured Barberries such as those with gold or orange foliage it will create a stunning combination.

Euonymus alatus is labelled as a noxious plant in some jurisdictions due to its ability to reproduce and invade natural flora so do check local listings for where it is prone to do this.

From Cicely Mary Barker’s Flower Fairy Series , ‘The Song of the Spindle Berry Tree’.

4 responses to “Spotlight On: Euonymus alatus, Burning Bush, Spindle Bush”

  1. Eliza Waters avatar

    I do not recommend this plant as it is terribly invasive and as birds eat and disperse its seeds. Impossible to eradicate once established!

    1. zonethreegardenlife.blog avatar

      I believe you live in a very different zone Eliza.I have never known this shrub to be a problem in Zone 3/4 and it not listed as an invasive here. What zone are you and average precip? I am curious as to why it spreads so rampantly in some places and not others. As I said, it is important to check the local invasive list.

  2. Cathy avatar

    Lovely photos Jenny! We have the European one growing in our hedges, and I did grow this one in my old garden too but it didn’t like the heat! Interesting what Eliza says. It isn’t a problem here at all.

    1. zonethreegardenlife.blog avatar

      It is interesting how plants find their favourite places to become a pest and in other areas they are well behaved. It is definitely more than temperatures and precipitatation – soil condition, general humidity and more factors seem to play a big role.

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