Burning bushes (Euonymus alatus) are popular landscape shrubs known for their vibrant red fall foliage. But when exactly do these shrubs transform from green to red? Read on to find out the timeline for burning bushes turning red.
Overview of Burning Bushes
Burning bushes are deciduous shrubs native to Asia They can grow 6-10 feet tall and wide The leaves emerge light green in spring and transition to dark green as they mature over the summer.
In fall the green chlorophyll in the leaves starts to break down allowing the underlying red pigment to show through. This results in the foliage turning bright crimson red. The red leaves provide a pop of color in the landscape before dropping in late fall or early winter.
When Burning Bushes Change Color
The exact timing of when a burning bush turns red depends on a few factors:
Location
Burning bushes in cooler climates with earlier fall frosts will start changing color earlier generally in September. In warmer zones the color change may be delayed until October or even early November.
Sun Exposure
Burning bushes need full sun (at least 6 hours of direct sun daily) for the brightest red foliage. With insufficient sunlight, the leaves may only turn reddish-orange or pink rather than vivid red.
Weather
Cool nights and bright sunny days accelerate the breakdown of green chlorophyll in leaves. This reveals the red pigment faster. Cloudy, rainy weather can slow down the change.
Age of Plant
Younger burning bushes may not turn as vibrantly red as mature plants. The red coloring often intensifies as the shrubs get older.
Growing Conditions
Stressed burning bushes, whether from drought, pests, or poor soil conditions, can have muted fall colors. Healthy, vigorous shrubs have the best color.
Typical Timeline
With all those factors in mind, here is the typical timeline for burning bushes turning red:
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Early September – Leaves start changing along outer branches, especially in cooler climates.
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Mid-to-late September – More leaves transform, progressing inward from outer branches. Foliage is a mix of green and red.
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Early October – Peak color is reached. Foliage is entirely bright crimson red in most climates.
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Mid-to-late October – Leaves start dropping. Some may still cling to branches into early November before fully shedding for winter.
So in most cases, you can expect burning bushes to be near peak red color in early October. But keep an eye on your shrubs in September to catch the start of the transition from green to red. The intense red display generally only lasts 2-3 weeks before the leaves drop.
Enjoy this brief but spectacular fall foliage show put on by one of our most popular landscape shrubs!
Tips for Best Burning Bush Color
Here are some tips to ensure your burning bushes put on the best red display possible:
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Plant in full sun – At least 6 hours of direct sun is needed for the reddest color. Morning sun is ideal.
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Provide regular water – Drought stress can dull the color. Water during dry periods.
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Mulch around the base – This retains soil moisture and keeps roots cool.
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Prune lightly in late winter – Remove some older inner branches to improve air circulation.
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Fertilize in early spring – Use a balanced, slow-release fertilizer to nurture vigorous growth.
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Control pests/diseases promptly – Healthy shrubs have the brightest color.
Follow these tips, and your burning bushes should turn a stunning red in fall to light up your landscape!
Frequency of Entities:
burning bushes: 15
fall: 7
red: 16
leaves: 12
green: 5
shrubs: 5
foliage: 4
color: 7
turn: 4
branches: 3
Not Cold Enough
Disease, pests, and too much or too little water can change the color of something, but sometimes the color doesn’t change at all.
In one last grand show, plants end the summer by stopping photosynthesis, changing color, and then shedding their leaves.
The temperature drop that makes us run for the blankets on the first cool fall nights is a sign of this change.
In a very warm autumn, shrubs in the sunniest and most sheltered spots might not turn red at all, or they might do it very late in the season.
A bush may be happy with its green leaves until the first hard frost. After that, the leaves will wilt and fall off, but the color won’t change much.
Insects and Disease
Pests that feed on different kinds of Euonymus and drink its sap may cause the leaves to lose their color or change color. They may also be vectors, or carriers, of disease.
Scales, for example, can leave brown spots or specks on plants, and spider mites’ webs can dull leaves that are normally bright.
Even though burning bushes don’t usually get sick, fungal diseases like powdery mildew and twig blight can cause their leaves to turn yellow.
This yellowing is called chlorosis, and may also be caused by a lack of iron in the soil. But because these shrubs can grow in most types of soil as long as it drains well, it’s not likely that they would be lacking in nutrients.
Another reason for yellowing foliage has to do with water.
It can be hard to tell at first if a plant is under a lot of moisture stress because burning bush leaves naturally hang down.
In warm, dry, and especially windy climates, shrubs benefit from afternoon shade to keep them from drying out.
When they don’t receive enough water, photosynthesis lags. Instead of being lush and green, the leaves may turn yellow, and then brown, before dropping off.
The reverse is also true. If it rains too much where you live, especially in places that don’t drain well, your bushes may turn yellow because too much water can also cause chlorosis.
What do burning bushes look like in the fall?
FAQ
How do I get my burning bush to turn red?
What color is burning bush in summer?
Is the burning bush red year round?
What time of year do burning bushes bloom?
Why is my burning bush turning red?
The leaves always grow in green but then they are supposed to change to red as summer arrives. If your green burning bush plants stay green, something is amiss. The most likely problem is lack of sufficient sun, but other issues may be at play when your burning bush isn’t changing color. Why Won’t Burning Bush Turn Red?
When do burning bushes turn red?
When do burning bushes turn red is a common question among this plant’s growers. Burning trees of the Celastraceae family turn color in summer when mature. However, your plant must be exposed to sunlight for at least six hours for the foliage to change to red.
Does a burning bush change color?
However, the rest of the burning bush isn’t changing color. Green or partially green burning bush plants are usually shrubs that do not get the sunshine they need. If a burning bush does not turn red, it may not be a burning bush at all. The scientific name for burning bush is Euonymus alata.
How do you know if a bush is burning?
If so, we recommend native plants such as chokeberry or fragrant sumac. Burning bush shrubs are mounded, with multiple stems and angular branches. In fall, their bright red leaves appear to be on fire. They drop in winter, revealing green-brown stems.