Burning Bush!

the Burning Bush (Euonymus alatus) Actually a colorful fall foliage selection as the name implies, a deciduous shrub specie from the Tree Family Celastraceae, the "Staff-Tree Family," it is NOT the description of A PROTEST action against our President. 'hope the title didn't mislead you, 'cause if it did, you'll STILL learn about a marvelous shrub. Burning Bush, a non-native species brought from China and Korea since the 1860's, has escaped from ornamental plantings into urban and rural areas. It travels widely by way of its seed. This hardy plant is found in forests and brushy areas. Burning Bushes will grow well even in SHADE, with very little sun. It is happily, not a murderous invasive species, killing absolutely every other plant around it like Crown Vetch, but this "invasive" WILL cause anything below it to starve for almost any light. It's more than just a "traveling plant." Burning Bush is also known as the Winged Euonymous, Winged Wahoo, Winged Spindle Tree, all for the cork-like tabs along its branches and stems, as well as being called the Japanese Spincle Tree, and of course, the Cork Bush. That's a lot of names. This vase-shaped shrub has great red fall foliage which glows for weeks in early to mid-autumn, hence, its name, Burning Bush. Hedges can be sheared or globes created for decorative landscape plantings, topiaries (sculpted bush art), Burning Bushes are good for all. Hedges from Burning Bushes can be very dense giving good screening of wind, any sun, and create privacy, even during the winter. If left unpruned, the compact form of Burning Bush will grow to about 12 feet tall and 15 feet wide. The winged form will grow to about 15 feet tall and 20 feet wide. In our area, the Burning Bush propagates naturally in shaded areas. We obtain some of our stock from seedlings we gather at a small farm cemetery on our property. Burning Bush even regrows after transplanting from the empty holes where roots are exposed! Burning Bush is adaptable to a variety of soil conditions: Fertile to sterile, organic to clay, acidic to alkaline, rocky to sandy, this plant proves its strength. It does NOT like any wet soils, it is important to note, but it does do well in very dry soils. Burning Bush has small fibrous roots near the surface and responds well to root pruning. Balling and burlapping this shrub for transplanting does little damage, for Burning Bushes can take abuse and recover quickly. IF YOU HAVE A "BROWN THUMB," THIS IS A PLANT FOR YOU. You can see more of Bill's planting tips and articles at http://www.seedlingsrus.com or http://www.zone5trees.com and his first website, www.highlandhillfarm.com