Burning bush (Euonymus alatus) is a deciduous shrub that has been very popular in North American landscaping. The dense, multi-stemmed, round shrub gets its name from the bright red leaves that turn from medium-green elliptical shapes in the fall. Burning bush grows slowly, adding about a foot of growth each year, and needs full sun. It’s best to plant it in the fall or spring from a nursery plant grown in a pot. If properly maintained, it will survive for decades. Burning bush is very hard to get rid of because birds and other animals that eat the berries and “deposit” the seeds all over the place a lot of them. Because it spreads quickly and eats native plants, some states don’t let people buy this species. This plant contains alkaloid compounds that are mildly toxic.
The burning bush (Euonymus alatus) is a beloved landscape shrub, prized for its brilliant red fall foliage. But beneath the flashy color lies an invasive plant that spreads aggressively and outcompetes native species. So do burning bushes have berries? The short answer is yes.
The burning bush is native to eastern Asia but was introduced to North America in the 1860s as an ornamental plant It has since become extremely popular thanks to its vibrant red leaves in autumn and its ability to thrive in a range of growing conditions
The burning bush is a deciduous shrub, meaning it drops its leaves in fall It typically grows to a height of 10-15 feet with an equal spread. The branches have distinctive corky ridges and winged stems The leaves are oval, dark green, and up to 2.5 inches long.
In spring, the burning bush produces small yellow-green flowers. These are followed by prolific amounts of berries in late summer to early fall.
Do Burning Bushes Have Berries?
Yes, burning bushes produce copious amounts of red berries in fall. The berries ripen from late summer through fall. Each berry contains 1 to 4 seeds.
The berries start out yellow-green, then turn bright red as they ripen. They grow in clusters along the stems and weigh down the branches. A mature burning bush can produce hundreds to thousands of fruits each year.
The red berries provide a second striking fall display in addition to the red foliage. Many homeowners enjoy the showy fruits, which last into winter after the leaves fall.
The Problem With Burning Bush Berries
So if burning bushes have such beautiful berries, what’s the issue? The problem is that the berries allow the burning bush to spread invasively.
Birds find the fruits highly attractive as a food source. They disperse the seeds far and wide after eating the berries. Seeds may be carried miles away from the parent plant via bird droppings.
The seeds germinate readily to form new burning bush shrubs. Seedlings and shoots also sprout from the spreading root system. Over time, burning bushes can take over an area, displacing native plants.
In the Midwest and East, burning bush has escaped from landscaping plantings into forests, fields, and natural areas. It poses a threat to biodiversity by shading out wildflowers, ferns, tree seedlings, and other native flora.
Several states now prohibit the sale and planting of burning bushes. Great alternatives exist like oakleaf hydrangea, fothergilla, and virginia sweetspire. These provide beautiful fall interest without the invasive tendencies.
Growth Habits That Encourage Berries
Several aspects of the burning bush’s growth habits result in prolific fruiting:
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Fast growth rate. Burning bushes grow vigorously when conditions are right. More growth means more energy to produce fruits.
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Maturity. Burning bushes don’t produce many berries until well-established. A mature shrub has the resources to bear heavy crops.
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Full sun. Plants in full sun generate more energy and resources that aid fruit production. Burning bushes grown in shade won’t fruit as heavily.
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Good soil. Fertile, moist, well-drained soil provides ideal conditions for growth and fruiting. Burning bushes thrive in a range of soils.
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Branching structure. The bushy, multi-stemmed form provides lots of branch tips and nodes for flower and fruit clusters to form.
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Minimal care needs. The burning bush’s resilience to pests, drought, pollution, and poor soil reduces stresses that can impact fruiting.
Tips for Pruning Burning Bushes
Many homeowners prune their burning bushes annually to reduce size and improve shape. But is it okay to prune burning bushes that produce berries?
Light pruning in late winter or early spring is beneficial. It encourages new growth that leads to fuller foliage and more blooms and fruits. Here are some tips:
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Prune lightly, removing up to 1/3 of stems at ground level. Severe pruning slows fruiting.
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Thin inner branches to open up dense growth. Good air circulation aids flowering and fruiting.
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Cut back long shoots to shape the shrub. New growth has the highest fruit production.
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Prune right after flowering for maximum regrowth and fruits.
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Remove stems with poor vigor to focus the plant’s energy.
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Disinfect pruners between cuts to prevent disease spread.
Enjoying Burning Bushes While Preventing Spread
Burning bushes remain a staple in many landscapes thanks to nostalgia, ease of care, and glowing fall color. To enjoy these plants without aiding their spread, follow these tips:
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Monitor for and remove seedlings around shrubs. Don’t allow them to mature and produce seeds.
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Deadhead spent flowers in spring to deter fruiting. Dispose of the cuttings offsite.
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Clip off berry clusters after color change but before seed dispersal in fall.
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Bag and throw out pruned stems and raked leaves to prevent spread from seeds.
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Plant only male cultivars like ‘Compactus’ that don’t bear berries.
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Replace aging burning bushes with non-invasive alternatives. Gradually phase out existing plants.
The Takeaway on Burning Bush Berries
The burning bush produces abundant red berries that provide fall and winter interest. However, the seeds also fuel its invasive spread. With some diligence, you can carefully manage existing shrubs while swapping in non-invasive alternatives. This keeps the spectacular fall color in your landscape without aiding a harmful invasive plant.
Bloom Months
Burning bush blooms in the spring months.
Potting and Repotting Burning Bush
Because this plant quickly fills up a pot with new shoots, it is almost never grown in pots unless it is being grown from cuttings.
Burning Bush, What Do Burning Bushes Look Like, Do Birds Eat Burning Bush Berries
Do Burning Bush berries eat berries?
Burning bush blooms with yellow-green flowers that appear in spring. Flowers are a prerequisite for the orange-red berries that appear in fall. But these berries are best avoided, as they can lead to rampant self-seeding. Birds and other wildlife will eat the berries, too, and help to spread the seeds outside your garden.
Do burning bush plants grow well?
Almost any site and soil condition is sufficient when growing burning bush plants. Care of burning bush is minimal too, which makes the plant an excellent choice for even novice gardeners. The arching stems are decorated with clusters of finely pointed leaves that droop appealingly from the branch.
Does a burning bush Bloom?
Contrary to its name, the burning bush does not actually bloom; instead, it thrives in the full sun, captivating the landscape with its dazzling fall foliage. Being a deciduous plant, the seeds of the Burning Bush are dispersed in early spring, giving rise to numerous seedlings.
What is a burning bush plant?
The plant is from a large group of shrubs and small trees in the genus Euonymous. Native to Asia, this large bush has a natural open form that shows well in borders, beds and even containers. Almost any site and soil condition is sufficient when growing burning bush plants.