Think twice before planting burning bush in your Indianapolis garden

November 3, 8:49 PMIndianapolis Gardening ExaminerCarol Michel

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Euonymus alatus

 It is easy to be quite impressed with the Burning Bush (Euonymus alatus) at this time of year, when its best feature, its bright red fall foliage, is displayed in full glory. 

They are often sold in one gallon containers, looking for all the world like a nice small shrub about a foot high, and listed as Euonymus alatus ‘Compacta’. 

But left alone this shrub can get to 10 feet tall and nearly as wide versus 15 feet tall and 15 feet wide for the species. 

Many gardeners keep Burning Bush pruned to a smaller size, but in shearing it back they then lose the shrub’s best feature, the bright red fall color.   The only time you should shear them like that is if you are using them as a hedge.

The Burning Bush also needs a sunny location if the foliage is to turn a bright red. In shady spots, the leaves can turn a washed out pink or have no color at all. 

Perhaps the most controversial characteristic of the Burning Bush is that they aren’t native to the United States. In some areas of the country they are now considered an invasive species  because they have been found growing in naturalized and wild areas.

If, after seeing the bright red fall foliage, you are considering getting a Burning Bush or two for your garden, there are other better choices. Some of those choices include some Viburnum species shrubs or Fothergilla.