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Burning Bush Question

17 years ago

I am in Zone 5 and would like to add a compact Burning Bush to my landscape in the Spring. I believe I read somewhere that there are several varieties and one, in particular, is a more vibrant red than the others. If someone knows the name of this variety, I'd be so grateful to hear from you. Thanks.

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Comments (7)

IanW Zone 5 Ont. Can.
17 years ago
Not sure if this is the one you read about.

Ian

Here is a link that might be useful: Euonymus alata
Embothrium
17 years ago
'Compactus' is the super common older selection. A new one I have seen here is 'Select'. There are others, these things seem to be in the same category as Japanese barberry, Japanese spiraea etc. New variations of established types will probably be coming out for years--unless the weediness problems with some of the species spawning all these variants starts to cut into the action (both winged euonymus and Japanese barberry are already on poop lists in some eastern regions).

Here is a link that might be useful: Proven Winners - Euonymus alatus Fireball(R) = 'Select'
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I have a similar problem. The bottom half of the bush is dark red, the top half is green. 2 winters ago rabbits chewed off most of it so I pruned it back to shape in the spring. It was smaller last year but it turned red. Last winter was very mild and a few branches dried out. This spring I cut the dead branches off. The bush pretty much exploded and had a great growth this year, it's about 6 feet tall. It's not looking very nice but I wanted to leave it to grow for now. The bottom 1.5 foot is dark red, the 2 branches that were chewed off and didn't really have a great growth, and the top part does not look like it is going to change color, which is where all the new hight happened this year. Not sure what to do with it. I was thinking that it is a hybrid and some branches reverted back to the original colorless state? If that's the case I would have to cut all of the green off, but I don't know if burning bushes are actually made hybrid. I will wait confirmation on that before I get to it with the branch cutter again. I will attach the picture I just took. The red leaves are falling off now too. We had the first frost a few weeks ago.
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shadyindylady
Original Author
17 years ago
Thanks for your input! I've made a decision based on some reading I've been doing about how invasive some of the varieties are...and unreliable as far as intense color. I am going to plant "Elliot Blueberry" in this spot instead.
I have two of these in another part of my yard and they are putting on the most beautiful show of deep, intense red color I've ever seen! And...they produced wonderful Blueberries this summer. So...I think I will add more of these and have the benefit of the fruit and the gorgeous display of color in the Fall without having to worry about it being invasive.
Embothrium
17 years ago
Note that blueberries usually require cross pollination.
Iris GW
17 years ago
Good for you shadyindylady! Blueberries are wonderful. If you've already gotten blueberries from the two you have, this one should fit right in.
heptacodium
17 years ago
ya know, when things that want full sun for best color get planted in shade, you tend to get unreliable fall color. I have yet to see any burning bush fail to color reliably when given plenty of sun.

We can negotiate how much sun is "enough". The plant will simply let you know.

Also...we can be thankful that blueberries are not planted in widespread areas as landscape plants. Or they would not be on anyone's "poop list", they'd be on nearly everyone's plants to avoid at all costs due to excessive problems list.

Funny, huh. Thank god they are a wonderful native...nope, those have no problems.
gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
17 years ago
Most blueberries are self-fertile. You will simply get larger and more prolific cropping with cross pollination from a second variety, as well as potentially extending your harvest.

In addition to being a very tasty fruit, blueberries make very handsome additions to the landscape. Besides often stunning fall color - local blueberry fields are a sight to behold in fall - many varieties offer great stem color and attractive twigging habits as well.

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