The fall foliage on the Burning Bush (Euonymus alatus) is at its most beautiful this time of year, making it easy to be very impressed with it. At first glance, especially in its small one-gallon pot in the nursery, it looks like a nice, simple shrub with bright red leaves in the fall. But every gardener should know about a few things about this shrub before they rush out and buy a bunch of them for their own yard.
The Burning Bush is pretty common, so maybe you weren’t going to buy it anyway. You can find Burning Bush for sale almost anywhere that sells shrubs, from high-end garden centers to big box stores. They are usually sold in one-gallon containers and look like a nice little bush that is about a foot tall. Their name is Euonymus alatus “Compacta.” For most people, “compacta” means “small,” even if they don’t know Latin. So they buy a bunch of them and plant them where they want a cute little bush that grows to be about two or three feet tall.
Then they are shocked to learn that “compacta” in the world of Euonymus alatus means it grows to 10 feet tall and almost as wide, while the species grows to 15 feet tall and 15 feet wide. People probably don’t even look at the plant label, or there may not be one when they buy the plant. Regardless, now they have a shrub planted without enough room to grow. How do they deal with that? Usually, they cut back their shrub every summer to keep it at a size that they can handle.
In shearing it back they then lose the shrub’s best features, the bright red fall color. At this point, most of the balls and squares of shorn Burning Bush are a dark red that looks like maroon. They don’t really stand out in the landscape. The most colorful parts of the tree are the leaves at the tips of the branches. Shearing gets rid of all that growth.
Also, when they are cut back, they are shaped into balls, squares, and other shapes that weren’t meant to be in a garden, unless it is a topiary garden. I would only cut them that way if I were going to use them as a hedge, which I have seen done and it doesn’t look too bad. They are certainly a better choice for a hedge than common privet, Ligustrum sp. , if you ask me.
The Burning Bush also needs a sunny location if it is to turn maximum red. In shady spots, I’ve seen the leaves turn a washed out pink or have no color at all. There’s nothing really wrong with the pink, but it’s not nearly as bright red as the shrub looks when it’s in full sun.
Perhaps the most controversial characteristic of the Burning Bush is that they aren’t from around here. They are thought to be invasive in some places because they have been found growing in both naturalized and wild areas. They are from Asia.
If you didn’t think it would be that big, you could be cutting it back every year into balls or squares, or you could have picked a spot that doesn’t get enough sun. Or, as the article I linked to above says, you might want to take down yours if you planted it near a forest or other naturalized area. When that happened, I might say sorry to it, move it to the mulch pile, and then look for a better shrub. Would you like a nice Viburnum or Fothergilla instead? I have a lovely Fothergilla that flowers in the spring and changes all sorts of colors in the fall. The Burning Bush flowers are so plain that they’re not even worth mentioning. It really only draws attention to itself in the fall.
Also, the picture above is of this bush in my sister’s garden. It was taken just as the leaves began to change color. I believe she’s done right by the Burning Bush. She planted it in a sunny spot where it could grow to its full size. It makes a striking accent, especially in the fall. As a large shrub, it also provides shelter for birds. And as far as I know, her yard doesn’t have a bunch of Burning Bush growing everywhere, so I think she should just enjoy it.
The burning bush euonymus (Euonymus alatus) is a popular ornamental shrub known for its brilliant red fall foliage While the species can grow quite large, reaching up to 20 feet tall, the ‘Compactus’ cultivar offers all the benefits in a more compact form. With its smaller stature, vibrant leaves, and low maintenance nature, Euonymus alatus ‘Compactus’ is an excellent choice for gardens and landscapes
An Overview of Euonymus Alatus ‘Compactus’
Euonymus alatus ‘Compactus’, also known as dwarf burning bush or compact winged euonymus, is a dense, mounded deciduous shrub. It typically grows 6 to 8 feet tall with a spread of 8 to 10 feet. Its leaves are opposite, simple, elliptical to obovate. They emerge light green in spring and transition to green throughout summer before turning vibrant red in fall.
The shrub produces small greenish flowers in late spring, though they are rather inconspicuous. The flowers give way to reddish-purple fruit capsules that split open in fall to reveal the seeds within. While the fruit may tempt wildlife, no part of the plant should be ingested as it can cause stomach upset if large quantities are consumed.
One of the main draws of the compact burning bush is its fiery fall foliage. The leaves turn a brilliant shade of scarlet red in autumn before dropping. The eye-catching display lasts for several weeks. Even in winter, the shrub’s zig-zagging stems provide visual interest.
Growing Conditions for Compact Burning Bush
Fortunately, euonymus alatus ‘Compactus’ is not fussy when it comes to cultivation. It thrives in a range of conditions, including full sun to partial shade and moist to dry soil. Best growth occurs in full sun and evenly moist, well-drained soil. However, the shrub will tolerate short periods of drought once established. It grows well in acidic, alkaline, and neutral pH levels.
While adaptable, compact burning bush does not tolerate wet, poorly drained soils. It may develop issues like stem dieback under those conditions. Well-drained loam enriched with organic matter is ideal. Space plants 6 to 10 feet apart for a dense, full look.
As a relatively slow-growing plant, compact burning bush requires minimal regular pruning to maintain its intended size and shape. For best fall color, provide consistent moisture and fertilize with a balanced plant food in early spring before growth resumes.
How to Use Compact Burning Bush in the Landscape
Thanks to its smaller stature and brilliant foliage, dwarf burning bush shines in many landscape situations. It works well as:
- A vibrant specimen planting
- A colorful addition to foundation plantings
- A low border or hedge
- A focal point in mixed beds and island plantings
- An anchor planting in front of larger shrubs or evergreens
You can also mass several shrubs together for a high-impact display The red foliage provides striking contrast against conifers like arborvitae or juniper For added interest, underplant with later-blooming perennials like asters or mums. Some great companion plants include spirea, potentilla, fothergilla, viburnum, and roses. Basically, anything that flowers in spring or summer before the euonymus shows its fall brilliance.
The Advantages of Compact Burning Bush
There are many great reasons to consider Euonymus alatus ‘Compactus’ for your yard:
- Compact form fits smaller spaces
- Provides multi-season interest with foliage and branching
- Foliage turns vibrant red in fall for weeks
- Tolerates various conditions like drought and shade
- Requires minimal care once established
- Deer resistant and attracts birds
- Provides food and shelter to wildlife
- Foliage and habit make a nice informal hedge
- Works well in Asian-style gardens
- Adds color without taking over like the species
For brilliant fall color in a compact package, it’s hard to beat the adaptable and vibrant Euonymus alatus ‘Compactus’. Let this low-maintenance, seasonal show-stopper set your landscape ablaze with color.
The Short Guide to the Burning Bush (Euonymus Alatus Compactus)
FAQ
How big do burning bush compacta get?
Why are Burning Bushes illegal in the US?
What is the problem with the burning bush shrub?
Do Burning Bushes like sun or shade?
What is a compact burning bush?
Compact Burning Bush, Compact Winged Spindle Tree, Compact Winged Euonymus, Compact Winged Burning Bush, Euonymus alatus ‘Compacta’ Noted for its spectacular fall foliage and very ornamental berries, Euonymus alatus ‘Compactus’ (Burning Bush) is a compact, medium-sized, spreading, deciduous shrub of great interest.
What does Euonymus alatus mean?
Euonymus alatus, commonly called winged euonymus, burning bush, winged burning bush or winged spindle tree, is a dense, mounded, spreading, flat-topped, multi-stemmed shrub that is particularly noted for its fiery red fall foliage color. It is native to forests, woodlands and scrub areas in eastern Russia, Japan, China and Korea.
What is a burning bush?
The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources. Noted for its spectacular fall foliage and very ornamental berries, Euonymus alatus ‘Compactus’ (Burning Bush) is a compact, medium-sized, spreading, deciduous shrub of great interest.
Are Euonymus alatus invasive?
Adding a spectacular splash of color in the fall and providing winter interest, Euonymus alatus species is however considered invasive in some parts of the USA where it will out-compete native plants to form dense thickets. Discover beautiful U.S. native plant alternatives.
Is compactus poisonous?
This plant has low severity poison characteristics. ‘Compactus’ is a dwarf cultivar of winged burning in the Celastraceae family. It is a deciduous shrub that, as its name implies, is a relatively more compact version. Unlike Burning Bush, which can reach heights of 20 feet, the ‘Compactus’ cultivar is a more manageable 10 feet tall.
Is Burning Bush invasive?
Burning Bush is not invasive in my area, but check your region’s recommendations before planting. Since we are discussing plants in the Euonymus genus, I want to mention one of my favorite varieties, Euonymus bungeanus ‘Verona.’ The common name is Prairie Radiance Winterberry Euonymus.