Burning Bush

Burning Bush, Winged

Euonymus alatus

Celastraceae

▲ large, mature shrub, about 8 feet tall and 15+ feet wide

▲ smaller shrub

▲ ▼ twigs and leaves, showing winged twigs below

▲ bright red fall color

Location on campus: forms main hedge along sidewalks running between Carrington Hall and Strong Hall; many other locations

Euonymus alatus: Winged Euonymus, Burning Bush

• leaves opposite, deciduous, simple, obovate with pointed tip and finely serrate margins; leaves 1-3" long and 1//2 as wide; leaves turn bright red reliably in fall
• stems green to brown, glabrous with 2-4 corky wings running longitudinally along stem
• grows 15-20' tall and about 2/3 as wide; can be pruned as a small tree
• flowers small, white, not showy; fruit is a orange red capsule with red seeds, if visible under leaves
• prefers full sun, but tolerates significant shade; very soil tolerant, except of very wet soils; very adaptable
• one of few euonymus species not susceptible to euonymus scale
• slow to medium growth rate