"Burning Bush" Dwarf?

9 years ago

It has gone invasive for a dwarf kind, almost 10' high and 7' wide. I am considering it cutting it down and replant it in a wine size barrel. Is this possible with this so called 'dwarf' shrub? I imagine it could be more manageable?

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (6)

ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
9 years ago
i doubt you would ever dig it out ... hacking off so many roots.. it would ever survive ...

just get rid of it ...

cut flush the ground.. and use a stump killer ...

unless you bonsai it.. which involves taking it out of the media and root pruning it once or twice a year... you arent going to dwarf a monster with a small pot ...

ken
gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
9 years ago
You probably have the variety 'Compacta', which is not a dwarf and not even very compact :-)) 10' or more is standard for this selection, compared to 15-18' for a standard burning bush shrub. There ARE dwarfs -- 'Fire Ball' gets to only about 5' and 'Rudy Haag' is only about 3-5'.

Either of those would be better choices for container growth than attempting to transplant a large plant from in the ground.

And depending on where you live, these dwarf varieties may be diificult to locate. Burning bush is invasive in many areas and in some states, sales are restricted.
Related Discussions
What's wrong with dwarf burning bush leaves
Q
Comments (7)
An automated sprinkler system? How long is it on for? Given that information, I'd guess the issue was lack of water. Euonymus alatus often responds to dry soil conditions with a browning or drying of the foliage. Typically, automated watering systems are not set or programmed for the best growth of the plants they are tending. Coming on daily or even twice a day for a few minutes at a time simply does not deliver the volume of water most plants need nor deeply enough to be effective. It will always be better to water less often but for a longer period of time so that the water penetrates deeply down to at least the base of the rootball. Depending on the situation, that might be once or twice a week for 20-30 minutes. Personally, I think most automated watering systems are a huge waste of money and natural resources for anything other than lawns. They do not deliver the water efficiently, they are rarely programmed properly and they waste huge amounts of water to evaporation and/or run-off. Using a low emission system like a drip or soaker hose is a much better choice.
...See More
"Burning Bush" Dwarf?
Q
Comments (6)
....if you want to keep your burning bush and control its size, cut it back drastically......burning bushes regenerate very well from old wood, so you can cut it back to "stubs" and it will resprout .....once you reduce it to the size you want, just clip it hard every season from now on....no need to get rid of it......>>> That is exactly what I did the year before ...I had it pruned down to about 2-3 feet and this is the result. No, I will wait for this Fall gorgeous color and then get rid of it..BTW, someone here mentioned berries..mine has never shown berries and its 20 years old.
...See More
Burning Bush and Butterfly Bush...Do they grow in AZ?
Q
Comments (8)
So i have researched the chinese pistache tree and it is incredibly beautiful with its fall/ winter colors...So now my next question is where do you buy one?!?!?! I have been all over town to different nurseries and they all tell me that they either don't know about the tree, where to find it, or even what it is. I looked at moon valley nursery, and even though they are a little pricey, they dont have it and they said that the best they could offer is the Sweetgum tree...So (1) Does ANYONE who has a Chinese Pistache know where to buy one and (2)Does anyone know about the sweetgum tree? Thanks for all of your help! -AZnursingstudent.
...See More
"Burning Bush" Dwarf
Q
Comments (2)
well gold star for you.. for figuring out how to kill this somewhat invasive plant.. congrats on getting rid of it ... lol i wouldnt give the soil a second thought.. but if i did.. i would just take a few shovel fulls.. throw it out back the garage.. and bring a few back.. and be done with soil regeneration ... the urine is pure urea.. pure nitro ... the cat 'burned' the leaves off and the plant failed.. i really doubt its a root issue .... or a soil issue.. but whats the big deal of moving a wheelbarrow of soil... excess nitrogen is very short lived in the soil.. that is why lawn warriors have to dump high nitro fert on the grass.. 3 or 4 times per season ... i hope the scientists dont feel the need to argue science.. on the simple concept i present.. but all the power to them if they want to argue about it ... i would be more worried about dissuading the cat from the next plant.. rather than the soil .... ken
...See More
laceyvail 6A, WV
9 years ago
And BTW, invasive doesn't mean a plant you thought would be small has gotten big. Invasive means it escapes into the wild, the natural environment.
Thyme2dig NH Zone 5
9 years ago
If you cut it back entirely, it will grow back and be smaller.....for a while. Whenever my "dwarf" gets too big for my liking, I cut it down to about 1-2'. Does not take long to fill back in. You may be able to prune off some of the outer branches and keep them continually pruned back to keep the width in check, but I think you'd always be fighting that battle if it's too wide for the space. I'm fortunate in that I just prefer it to be shorter. If you're going for shorter and narrower, it might be a lost cause or at the very least a lot of pruning.
bogturtle
9 years ago
Have maintained my 'Compacta' in a pot, for several years. It is about 3 feet by 3.5 feet. Certainly would suffer, without attention to adequate watering.
Embothrium
9 years ago
I cut a 'Compactus' on a property I work down quite low each winter or spring that it is needed to keep it from blocking a drive. If you cut it off quite short the re-growth looks normal, the stumps being only down near the ground. Comes back well enough each time to be ~presentable the first summer afterward, takes about 2-3 years I guess to get "too big" again.

Related Stories

GARDENING GUIDES Great Design Plant: Velvety Dwarf Bottlebrush Beckons a Touch

By Steve Asbell

Brilliant red blooms and inviting textures will capture your heart, but the low maintenance and small size will win over your practical side

Full Story

GARDENING GUIDES Great Design Plant: Dwarf Blue Indigo Offers Carefree Beauty

By Benjamin Vogt / Monarch Gardens

Drought tolerant and a bumblebee magnet, spiky Baptisia australis may be the easiest plant you ever grow

Full Story

GARDENING GUIDES 6 Plants That Beat Butterfly Bush for the Wildlife Draw

By Benjamin Vogt / Monarch Gardens

It's invasive, a nonnative and a poor insect magnet. Check out these better alternatives to butterfly bush in the garden

Full Story

227

GARDENING GUIDES Great Native Plant: California Flannel Bush

By Annie Thornton

Forget watering once this bush is established. But the yellow burst in spring and summer, you'll remember

Full Story

GARDENING GUIDES Great Design Plant: Northern Bush Honeysuckle, a Bronze Beauty

By Le jardinet

It helps control erosion and takes sun or shade. The butterflies love it. But the best part of this shrub may be the vivid foliage

Full Story

FALL GARDENING 5 Fall Fruits You Can Grow in Containers

By Bill Marken

Brighten your porch or patio with a potted pomegranate, kumquat, blueberry bush or another great fall fruit

Full Story

EDIBLE GARDENS Summer Crop: How to Grow Blueberries

By Marianne Lipanovich

Plant blueberries in spring or fall for garden beauty through three seasons — and a sweet superfood in summer

Full Story

EDIBLE GARDENS How to Add an Apple Tree to Your Edible Garden

By Marianne Lipanovich

Readily available, beautiful and fragrant, apple trees offer four-season interest along with crisp, juicy fruit

Full Story

By Marianne Lipanovich

Savor snack-tastic sunflower seeds once the radiant blooms have faded — if the birds have saved you any, that is

Full Story

GARDENING GUIDES Brighten Any Garden With White Crape Myrtle

By Amy Renea

A terrific supporting player to other plants, white crape myrtle can help a walkway or other parts of a landscape gleam

Full Story

"Burning Bush" Dwarf?

Comments (6)

ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5

gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)

Related Discussions

laceyvail 6A, WV

Thyme2dig NH Zone 5

bogturtle

Embothrium

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US