Burning Bush Growing Guide (Euonymus alatus): Planting and Care for Fire Bush

The Burning Bush: Euonymus alatus

Euonymus alatus is a non-native species of the Euonymus genus, a large grouping of approximately 140 species commonly known as Spindletree, primarily endemic to East Asia. Most species of Euonymus are flowering shrubs or creeping vines which thrive in the understory of disturbed woodland areas.^6,8

Euonymus alatus is an attractive ornamental shrub which has been appreciated for its vibrant fall color.¹ However, over the last 50 years, its invasive tendencies have been recognized, and it is no longer recommended for planting in the U.S., particularly in eastern woodland areas of the states.

In fact, the Burning Bush is considered invasive in many New England states, such as Maine, Rhode Island, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Delaware. The sale and purchase of Winged Euonymus is prohibited in states such as Massachusetts and New Hampshire and regulated in New York and Maryland.

This invasive plant has been established as a threat farther south in states like Kentucky, Tennessee, and North Carolina, as well as in the Midwest state of Illinois.^{13, 15, 21}

Although E. alatus is not as aggressive as some invasives, its prolific seeding, tolerance of diverse soil and sun conditions, and attractiveness to frugivorous birds enable it to outcompete many native shrubs.¹

Growing a Burning Bush From a Seed, Cutting, or Seedling

Although Burning Bush is not recommended for growing, the plant has some appealing qualities and has even been awarded by the Royal Horticultural Society in the past.²⁹ Gardeners desperate to try their hand at growing this beautiful shrub should consider these planting tips for Burning Bush:¹¹

1. Do not grow this plant in one of the Eastern U.S. states where it is prohibited or regulated.
2. Choose a cultivar that is seedless or has minimal seeds, such as “Rudy Haag” varieties.
3. Grow in a contained environment, such as a greenhouse or indoors, when possible.
4. Pull seedlings and small plants that grow up around the base.

Knowing when to plant Burning Bush for the best yield is important to many gardeners, but it is necessary to note that the Burning Bush is a moderately slow grower and will not be fertile for its first few years. However, the colorful foliage can be enjoyed during this time without the concern of the plant’s invasiveness.

Whether growing a Burning Bush from a seed, cutting, or seedling, the best time to plant Euonymus alatus is typically in the fall,¹ when soil temperatures are still warm but the hottest days have passed. Propagating Burning Bush from softwood cuttings is the quickest way to grow a new plant.^5,22

How far apart to plant Burning Bush depends upon how the plant will be used. These plants tend to spread, so allowing 10 feet of space should provide ample room for growth.

(Image: Kent McFarland³⁷)

When creating hedges, closer spacing of 5 to 7 feet may be preferable.²⁵

Burning Bush is fairly low maintenance for gardeners and the watering needs for Burning Bush are minimal. Much as in the case of watering a tree, a Burning Bush shrub should really only require watering during periods of drought.

Best Growing Conditions for Burning Bush (Plant Not Recommended in Non Native Locations)

The best growing conditions for Burning Bush are in its native regions in East Asia where the proper biological and environmental checks and balances are in place. In the United States, Burning Bush is not recommended for planting as it can become invasive.

Note that it is illegal to sell, purchase, or plant this species in many states in the Eastern U.S.

(Image: Miranda Kohout³⁹)

Burning Bush grows best in moist, well-draining soil. It favors disturbed sites and uncultivated areas where it can grow and spread freely.

It can prosper in the moderate shade of forest understory and also in the full sun of a residential lawn. While a single Euonymus alatus specimen can be contained through pruning, weeding, and removing new sprouts, there is no effective way to control seed dispersal by frugivorous birds.^1,16

Burning Bush Growing Zone

The Burning Bush has proven itself a vigorous plant in many growing conditions, leaving many people unsure about preferred growing zones for Burning Bush (where to grow for best yield). The Burning Bush is a deciduous shrub that favors temperate climates, and thus, the Burning Bush growing zone is in USDA planting zones 4a through 8b where minimal temperatures do not go below -30 degrees Fahrenheit (see USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map).^23,28

Burning Bush Growth Rate

When an individual is asking how long it takes to grow Burning Bush plants, it may be because they are looking to add this plant to their landscape or it may be because they are concerned about this non-native species getting out of hand on their property.

Whatever the reason for this query, it is important to understand the Burning Bush growth rate in order to keep this invasive shrub under control.

According to the New Hampshire Department of Agriculture,³ Euonymus alatus has a moderate growth rate of approximately 1 foot per year until it reaches a mature height between 8 and 20 feet tall.

Note that it will begin bearing fruit at around 5 years of age, at which time, seed drop will contribute to plant spreading and the forming of dense thickets.³

When To Trim Burning Bush

Deciding when to trim Burning Bush should follow a determination of the type of pruning the plant needs. Hard prunes, typically used to shape or down-size a plant are best performed in late winter while the shrub is still dormant.

This allows the plant to heal before it is exposed to the hotter summer temperatures and dry spells.

Lighter pruning can often be carried on a bit later, even into early spring, right before the new growth appears. Light prunes can revitalize a plant by removing dead twigs, wood, and leaves.²⁷

Companion Plants for Growing Burning Bush

Various growing guides suggest companion plants for growing Burning Bush that provide contrasting fall color. In particular, the deep green foliage of evergreen plants provides a lovely backdrop.

Additionally, autumn gold plants such as sumac, witch hazel, and sugar maple create great contrasts.²⁴
Note that the Burning Bush can grow quite high, shading out nearby shrubs, so choose companion plants that grow taller or faster than the Burning Bush and space appropriately.

Alternatives To Burning Bush Hedges

Given its invasive tendencies, the Burning Bush is not recommended for planting in most of the United States. This leaves gardeners and landscapers looking for attractive alternatives to Burning Bush hedges and ornamental shrubs.

Luckily, there are many options for gardeners who want an attractive, colorful landscape. Native plants, such as the Eastern Wahoo (Euonymus atropurpureus),³¹can be used to create natural borders and screens, and its fall foliage is a brilliant red to purple hue.

Some Diervilla species boast vibrant orange and red foliage throughout much of the growing season.^20,32 The Smokebush, Cotinus coggyrgria,³³ is a beautiful native plant that has year round color, from its puffy pink flower inflorescence to its reddish purple stems, to its red to purple fall foliage, this is one interesting plant!

High Bush Blueberry (Vaccinium corymboxum)³⁴ is an excellent choice for hedge planting. It has a beautiful, bright fall color and the added benefit of edible fruit!

The Fothergilla genus contains several shrubby species which boast lovely white spring flowers and vibrant fall color.³⁵

These native species make an excellent substitute as well.¹⁰

If a suitable alternative to Burning Bush is not available in the residential area, check local nurseries for seedless cultivars that cannot spread to nearby woodland areas.

How To Stop Burning Bush Disease

Burning Bush can fall prey to several pests, and the most common pests of the Burning Bush are:²⁶

• Twospotted spider mite (Tetranychus urticae)
• Winged Euonymus scale (Unaspis euonymi)
• Euonymus caterpillar (Yponomeuta cagnagella)

The best natural pest control for Burning Bush is to water plants during dry spells to keep them healthy. Monitor for pests regularly, and remove manually when possible.

Treatments such as horticultural oil and insecticidal soap may also be beneficial.

(Image: Erik Schiff³⁸)

Individuals living in one of the many states where Euonymus alatus is an established threat may not need to know how to stop Burning Bush disease and may choose to let disease take its course to eradicate this invasive plant.¹ However, Burning Bush disease prevention can be important to other homeowners, particularly when beneficial plants growing in close proximity may be affected.

Some serious fungal diseases, such as Verticillium wilt, are usually fatal and are best addressed by removing the plant in its entirety. Many fungal diseases can be avoided by ensuring the plant is growing in well-draining soil.

Growing Euonymus alatus in the United States is not recommended, as this once favored ornamental planting has spread vigorously to woodland areas of the U.S. where it outcompetes native shrubs.¹

How To Identify Burning Bush

Anyone concerned about containing winged Euonymus and preventing its escape from cultivation and subsequent environmental impact will want to know how to identify Burning Bush consistently and accurately.

There are a few whole plant features that can help in recognizing the Corky Spindle tree. First, it is a deciduous, multi-stemmed shrub that tends towards forming dense thickets and grows to around 10 feet tall on average.

Secondly, in the fall, this species is full of bright red, drooping leaves and bright red fruit. Thirdly, Euonymus alatus is a versatile and tolerant plant and can be found growing in a variety of soil types and sun conditions.¹

Finally, the stems of young Winged Spindle trees can often be distinguished by woody, tan to brown wing-like flaps running lengthwise along the stems. This characteristic, in particular, is unique to this species.³

Burning Bush Leaves

E. alatus has simple leaves that occur opposite one another along the stems; there is no terminal leaf.¹ The leaves grow horizontally and are generally flat.

Individual Burning Bush leaves have finely toothed, or serrated, margins.

They are elongated and taper to a point at each end. Leaves grow on short petioles and can reach lengths of 2.5 inches and widths of 1.25 inches.

In summer, the leaves of the Burning Bush are deep green on top, but as autumn approaches, the leaves shift to a vibrant red and begin to droop.³

Burning Bush Flowers

Many ornamental landscape plants are most appreciated for their beautiful blooms, but this is not the case for the Burning Bush. In fact, Burning Bush flowers are among their least conspicuous features.

The flowers themselves are small, less than ½ inch. They are green in color, often blending into the foliage when they appear in late spring.

Flowers grow in groups of three on slender stalks. Each flower is perfect, with four symmetrical, widely spaced petals and a relatively large central green disk.⁴

Burning Bush Seeds

In the summer, the green flowers of the Burning Bush develop into a green capsule which turns bright red as it ripens. Each fruit contains four seeds of E. alatus.¹

The seeds of the Burning Bush are actually one of its more interesting features, though they are not likely to be the first to be remarked upon. The Burning Bush seeds prolifically, contribute to its invasive growth and tendency to escape cultivation.

Seeds are contained within a vivid red fruit which is oval-shaped and drooping, approximately ½ inch in length. Burning Bushes are heavily laden with fruit, and the fruits are often referred to as berries, although they are actually fleshy seed capsules.

Each fruit is divided into four lobes or segments. When the husk splits apart, each lobe reveals a single bright orange seed.

The fruit is eaten by birds which carry the seeds to other locations, enabling the spread of the plant.³

Red Bushes Commonly Confused With the Burning Bush

There are several red bushes that can be easily confused with the Burning Bush. Many of these plants are close relatives in the Euonymus genus which also boast some of the vibrant red autumn color in either their fruit or foliage,⁸ such as:

• American Wahoo (Euonymus atropurpureus)
• European Spindle Tree (Euonymus europaeus)
• Strawberry Bush (Euonymus americanus)
• Winterberry Euonymus (Euonymus maackii)

Other shrubby species that may be confused with E. alatus include:²

• Native Sweet Gum Tree (Liquidambar styraciflua): Saplings with winged twigs, and red fall foliage.
• Winged Elm (Ulmus alata): Bark with corky wings.
• Smokebush (Cotinus coggyrgria): Vibrant orange to red fall foliage.

Fire Bush Vs. Burning Bush (Tips for Distinguishing the Fire Bush)

Fire bush, Hamelia patens,⁹ is a North American flowering shrub or small tree. It is grown as a perennial in USDA zones 9 through 10 and is only endemic to the state of Florida in the continental U.S.

Further north, fire bush is grown in containers or as an annual.

(Image: AnnaIlarionova³⁶)

Fire bush, also known as ‘Mexican Firecracker’ and ‘Hummingbird Bush’ is loved for its bright, orange-red flower clusters that bloom through summer and fall. It is actually quite easy to distinguish Fire Bush vs Burning Bush as the Fire Bush gets its vibrant summer and autumn color from its tubular flowers, while the fruit and foliage of the Burning Bush is responsible for its flaming red.^9,12

Why Is the Burning Bush Called the Winged Spindle Tree?

Euonymus alatus, the Burning Bush, is known by many common names, some of which are more self-explanatory than others.²³One of its less obvious common names is the ‘Winged Spindle tree,’ but this name actually provides useful information about the genus and species of this plant.

The wood of many Euonymus species was once used in the production of spindles for spinning wheels for wool.⁸ Thus, the common name ‘Spindletree’ is frequently used to describe the genus as a whole.

E. alatus adds the additional descriptor ‘winged,’²³ because it alone of all the Euonymus species has corky wings running longitudinally along its stems. The corky bark of winged Euonymus can appear quite similar to the bark of Ulmus alata, the Winged Elm.^7,30

Burning Bush Facts

The following are some Burning Bush facts that may be of interest to many people:^{1, 3, 6, 19}

1. Winged Euonymus was introduced to the United States from Eastern Asia as a landscape plant in the 1860s.
2. Euonymus wood was sometimes used to make spindles for spinning wheels, hence the common name “Spindletree.”
3. Burning Bush tree pollination is facilitated primarily by bees and seed dispersal is primarily attributed to birds.
4. A Winged Spindle tree can live up to 250 years!
5. The seeds of Euonymus alatus are highly successful with a 9 out of 10 germination rate.¹
6. Although the plant’s primary means of multiplying is through prolific seed dispersal, it can also spread through suckering, forming dense thickets
7. One common name, ‘Corky Spindletree,’ is inspired by the cork-like woody wings that often line the stems of this shrub.
8. Local deer are not attracted to Burning Bush foliage, and the plant subsequently escapes much of the natural controls that native species experience.
9. Burning Bush symbolism can take on different meanings in different companies. Euonymus alatus may sometimes be tied to the biblical story of Moses in the book of Exodus, as the Burning Bush symbolized God’s presence and power.¹
   A Burning Bush is often considered a symbol of rebirth and renewal.¹⁸

Easily recognized by its vibrant red fall color and corky wooden wings along its stems, the Burning Bush is a familiar part of landscapes across the Eastern U.S.

However, growing Burning Bush is not recommended outside of it’s native environment, and there are many alternative, native plants which are better options.

Frequently Asked Questions About Burning Bush