Burning Bush: Native Alternatives & Growing Responsibly

Fire Ball Seedless® burning bush. Photo by: Proven Winners

Burning bush (Euonymus alatus) has been a popular garden shrub for decades, grown for its fiery red foliage in fall, ease of maintenance, and adaptability to tough growing conditions. But more recently, it has stirred up a lot of controversy. The primary issue is its invasiveness. This non-native shrub can spread aggressively and crowd out native plant species, which can disrupt local ecosystems. As a result, burning bush has been banned or restricted in some regions of the United States and Canada, and many garden centers no longer sell it.

If you live in a state where burning bush has been prohibited and are looking for an eco-friendly alternative, you have a number of great options that offer similar brilliant fall color but are non-invasive. And if you already have burning bush shrubs growing in your garden, there are several effective control measures you can take to keep their invasive tendencies in check.

BURNING BUSH BASICS

Botanical name:

Euonymus alatus

Common names:

Burning bush, winged euonymus, winged spindle tree

Plant type:

Deciduous shrub

Zones:

4-8

Origin:

Northeast Asia

Exposure:

Full sun to partial shade

Size:

5 to 15 feet tall

Soil preference:

Moist well-drained soil, but adaptable to a variety of soil types

Season of interest:

Early to mid-fall

Landscape uses:

Foundation planting, shrub border, screen or hedge, specimen plant, accent plant

INTRODUCING: FIRE BALL SEEDLESS® BURNING BUSH

Photo by: Proven Winners

BUY NOW FROM PROVEN WINNERS

Zones: 4-8
Mature size: 5 to 7 feet tall and wide

Fire Ball Seedless® Euonymus from Proven Winners is the first seedless burning bush on the market, allowing you to enjoy the same intense fall foliage color as conventional burning bush but without the worry about invasiveness and volunteer seedlings popping up where they aren’t wanted. It also has a compact growth habit, minimizing the need for pruning.

In spring, Fire Ball Seedless® produces sterile green flowers, but the real show starts in fall, when the leaves turn a deep crimson red. This durable, easy-care shrub can be grown in most types of soil as long as it’s well-drained. For the best fall color, plant in a location that receives full sun. Can be used as a specimen or foundation plant, but makes the boldest statement when planted in mass.

Note: Even though Fire Ball Seedless® is non-invasive, current restrictions still apply in states where burning bush has been banned. Check with local guidelines to ensure you're complying with regulations in your area.

HOW DOES BURNING BUSH SPREAD?

Hitachi Seaside Park (Japan) turns red in autumn. Photo by: ibarakiguide.jp

Burning bush spreads primarily through seed dispersal. Birds are particularly fond of the plant’s small red berries, and after consuming the fruit, they excrete the seeds, which can grow into new plants wherever they land. This natural method of seed dispersal greatly contributes to the rapid spread of burning bush from yards and gardens to forests, fields, and open woodlands far from the plant’s original location.

To make matters worse, burning bush can also spread by vegetative means through suckers that sprout from the main root system, leading to the creation of dense thickets that can displace native plant species. Even when a burning bush shrub is removed, it is often challenging to eliminate altogether because of its ability to regenerate from remaining root fragments.

WHERE IS BURNING BUSH BANNED?

Burning bush is considered to be invasive in several regions of the U.S. and Canada, particularly along the East Coast and much of the Midwest, where its spread has threatened local ecosystems. As a result, the sale and cultivation of burning bush has been restricted or banned in several states, including Delaware, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New York, Maine, Pennsylvania, and Vermont.

HOW TO CONTROL THE SPREAD OF BURNING BUSH

The best way to prevent the spread of invasive burning bush is to avoid planting the traditional variety and choose a seedless variety like Fire Ball Seedless®, which offers the same beauty without the risk of unwanted spread, or choose a non-invasive alternative such as those listed below.

However, if you already have traditional burning bush in your garden, keeping it under control requires careful management. Here are some effective methods to prevent its spread:

Plant burning bush in sites where its spread can be monitored and controlled, and away from open woodlands, meadows, forests, and fields; where, if conditions are favorable, it can overtake native plants.
Install root barriers to restrict vegetative spread, inserting them to a depth of at least 24 inches around the entire perimeter of the shrub.
Hand pull any unwanted seedlings that sprout up, making sure to remove the entire root system. Seedlings up to 2 feet tall can easily be hand pulled, especially when the soil is moist.
Apply a thick layer of mulch around burning bush plants to suppress the growth of new seedlings.
To greatly reduce seed production, trim off the flowers from your burning bush in spring. Keep in mind that this approach can be time-consuming and isn’t always successful, since even a few overlooked flowers can still produce seeds.

Because of its invasive nature and impact on local ecosystems, you may want to consider removing any existing burning bush shrubs and replacing them with non-invasive alternatives. Even if you’re able to keep burning bush contained in your own garden, it’s important to consider the long-term impact. We don’t always know who will be caring for our gardens in the future, and what’s manageable now may become a problem later. Choosing non-invasive alternatives ensures that future gardeners—whether they’re new homeowners, family members, or future land stewards—won’t unknowingly contribute to the spread of an invasive species.

For those ready to take action, removing burning bush entirely is the most effective way to prevent its spread. To get tips for permanent removal, see this fact sheet from the Vermont Nature Conservancy.

BURNING BUSH ALTERNATIVES

Photo by: phol20 / Shutterstock

AMERICAN BEAUTYBERRY (Callicarpa americana)

Produces striking clusters of bright purple berries that ripen in the fall and last well into winter, providing a valuable food source for various wildlife species.

CHOKEBERRY (Aronia spp.)

Provides brilliant red foliage in the fall and edible blueberry-like fruits that are highly attractive to birds.

Pictured: Berry Scape™ aronia from Proven Winners.

FOTHERGILLA (Fothergilla spp.)

A deciduous native shrub grown for its spectacular fall foliage and showy flowers in spring.

Pictured: Legend Of The Fall® bottlebrush from Proven Winners.

OAKLEAF HYDRANGEA (Hydrangea quercifolia)

Named for its deeply lobed oak-like leaves that turn brilliant shades of red, mahogany, burgundy, and purple in fall.

Pictured: Gatsby Moon® oakleaf hydrangea from Proven Winners.

Read more on how to grow oakleaf hydrangea.

Arctic Fire® Red dogwood. Photo by: Proven Winners

RED TWIG DOGWOOD (Cornus spp.)

A striking deciduous shrub that adds fantastic color to the garden in all seasons, especially in the winter months when its vibrant red stems stand out against the snowy landscape.

Pictured: Arctic Fire® Red dogwood from Proven Winners.

Read more on how to grow red twig dogwood.

Spring Glory® serviceberry. Photo by: Proven Winners

SERVICEBERRY (Amelanchier spp.)

A versatile native shrub or tree with outstanding year-round appeal, including clusters of delicate white flowers in spring, edible reddish-purple berries in summer, and foliage that turns fiery shades of red, orange, and yellow in fall.

Pictured: Spring Glory® serviceberry from Proven Winners.

Read more on how to grow serviceberry trees.

Little Henry® sweetspire. Photo by: Proven Winners

SWEETSPIRE (Itea virginica)

A deciduous shrub with lovely fragrant white flowers in spring and stunning reddish-purple foliage in fall.

Pictured: Little Henry® sweetspire from Proven Winners.

Read more on how to grow sweetspire shrubs.

Berry Poppins® winterberry. Photo by: Proven Winners

WINTERBERRY (Ilex verticillata)

Produces vibrant red berries that last through the winter, adding beauty to the winter landscape and providing food for songbirds and other wildlife.

Pictured: Berry Poppins® winterberry from Proven Winners.

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BURNING BUSH: NATIVE ALTERNATIVES & HOW TO GROW RESPONSIBLY