Burningbush, Winged Euonymus
 

Mature Size, Growth, Longevity

Average mature size of 15-20' tall and wide. Growth habit is mounded, with horizontal branches, resulting in a wider plant that develops a flat top. Slow growth rate, producing one major growth flush in spring and then shuts down.

Native Range

Native to northeastern Asia, Central China, Japan and Korea. Introduced about 1860.

Flower and Fruit Details

Flowers are small, 1/4", perfect, ornamentally unimportant, yellow-green, in a 3-flowered cyme, May to early June. Fruits are orange-red capsules, 0.25-0.33" long, September through late fall.

Leaf and Bark Features

Deciduous: Leaves are opposite or sub-opposite, simple, obovate or elliptic, 1-3" long and 1/2-1 1/4" wide, with an acute tip, very finely serrated along the margin, with a very short petiole, only 1/12" long. Fall color usually a brilliant red, unless in deep shade. Excellent fall color. Bark is green to brown with 2-4 prominent, corky wings 0.25-0.5" broad. Generally, the more vigorous shoots have the biggest wings. Glabrous.

Culture and Care

Easily transplanted. Very adaptable, tolerating widely divergent soils, including clay. Prefers sun but also performs well in heavy shade, pH adaptable. Not tolerant of water logged soils. Withstands heavy pruning. Should be watered and mulched in hot, dry situations. Zone 4-8. No serious disease or insect problems, and does not contract scale. May get spider mites, however.

Strengths, Weaknesses, Other Facts

4-season interest: Spring, summer, fall & winter. This species is invasive. The fruits and seeds are commonly spread by birds. Therefore, if a Burning Bush is desired by a homeowner, it should be a fruitless or near fruitless/seedless cultivar such as 'Rudy Haag'. Could also be pruned into a small tree, if desired.

Suggested Uses

This species has been determined to be invasive within our local region (KY, OH, and/or IN). Local use is not recommended.
Has been overused as hedges, in groups, and as a specimen plant, however, use of this species is no longer recommended due to its invasive tendency.

Taxa and Plants of this Species at BCA