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Key characteristics

Family: Celastraceae
Height: 15 to 20 feet
Width: 8 to 12 feet
Flower color: Yellow-green
Foliage color: Green leaves, turning vibrant red in fall
Bloom time: Spring
Light: Full sun to partial shade
Water: Medium
Maintenance: Low, can tolerate heavy pruning
Growing zone: USDA Zones 4 to 8
Wildlife: Birds, particularly due to its bright red fruit in the fall

Shrubs

Euonymus alatus

Burning Bush

Euonymus alatus, commonly known as burning bush, is a deciduous shrub valued for its vibrant autumn foliage. In spring, it produces small, inconspicuous greenish flowers, which are followed by small red to purple fruits that attract birds. Its green leaves transform into brilliant shades of red in the fall, creating a bold seasonal display.

Native to eastern Asia, Euonymus alatus is well-suited to a variety of garden settings and is often used in hedges, borders, or as a specimen plant.

Light

Full sun to partial shade

Water

Medium

Bloom time

Spring

Find this plant

Works well in

Sun Gardens
Winter Interest
Hedging & Privacy
Specimen Plants

Companion plants

Yarrow · Oregon grape · Coreopsis · Blanket flower · Phlox · Bulgarian honey garlic

Design tip

Few shrubs create such an abrupt seasonal transformation, shifting from relatively quiet green foliage to brilliant scarlet in autumn. Give burning bush a location where that color can become the focal point, with evergreens nearby providing contrast after surrounding deciduous plants begin to fade.

Printable plant sheet (PDF)