Ornamental Shrub Has Red Fall Foliage

The primary common name of the popular ornamental Euonymus alata, Burning Bush refers to the shrub’s brilliant red fall foliage. It may also allude to the biblical burning bush.

Burning Bush Sometimes Named Winged Spindle Tree

The Latin alata, means ‘winged’, and indicates the unusual features of the stems on this shrub. Cork-like ridges that protrude from its branches give the appearance of wings. Euonymus europaeus, a relative of this plant, is named Spindle Tree. Its wood was used in the making of spindles. Because of the relationship, the Burning Bush is often referred to as Winged Spindle Tree.

The angular-branching plant that was introduced often grows to a height of twenty feet. On all species, the leaves that grow as pairs along the stems are green during summer. In the autumn they turn brilliant red, some with a slight pink hue.

Flowers of the Burning Bush are greenish-yellow with four petals. They are quite inconspicuous as they lay flat against the leaves. Small, reddish capsules (fruit) that appear in the fall are hidden by the leaves. When split, the capsules reveal orange fleshy seeds.

Growth Habits and Species Designation

The Burning Bush adapts well to various habitats, but does not thrive in very dry areas. For optimal fall foliage color, it needs an area of full sunlight or partial shade. While tolerant of full shade, it will not display the desired brilliant color. It grows well in a variety of soil types that are well drained, and its strong, branching growth will withstand pruning. The shrub has no serious pest or disease problems, and is hardy to at least zone four.

When it was introduced, the Burning Bush was commonly planted along roadways, as hedges, and in foundation gardens. The heavy seed production of those large plants is a problem. Many of the seeds germinate where they fall and create dense areas of seedlings. Others, spread by birds that find the nutritious fruits, will germinate easily.

In several areas of the United States, the plant is designated (with considerable controversy) as an invasive species. Those planted near woodlands, pastures, and mature second growth forests create dense thickets that shade out the native plants.

Rudy Haag Alternative Burning Bush Cultivar

The Rudy Haag cultivar is an upright dwarf Burning Bush. It grows to a height of three to five feet, with a three to four-inch growth rate per year. Quite versatile, it can be used as a hedge, screen or border plant, singly or in groups. This cultivar requires very little maintenance.

Studies have been conducted to determine the non-invasive character of Rudy Haag Burning Bush. It was found to be a nearly seedless cultivar. Information from the 2009 Conference of the American Society for Horticultural Science (ASHS) Conference looks promising, as ‚”minimal germination and limited persistence as well as extremely low seed production under natural and supplemented pollination conditions support a low invasive risk of using E. alatus ‘Rudy Haag’ in landscape plantings.”

The photographs attached to this article are of Rudy Haag Burning Bush. There have been very few showings of fruit since it was planted several years ago.

This is a link to the website “Invasive Plants of the Eastern United States”.