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Midwest Gardening

question about dwarf burning bush

12 years ago

I want to plant bushes on the side of the house which has a western exposure. I live in zone 5. I would prefer something which does not require much watering nor pruning. Would dwarf burning bush work? What other bushes would work well which require not much maintenance?

Comments (2)

Yardspace.org
12 years ago
Pretty much all bushes will require manintenance until they are established. After the first year you will be free and clear.
I would choose a bush that at least flowers. That said my neighbor has burning bushes at the side of his house and they do very well. But a dwarf lilac might work. Not a bush but a clematis always works at the side of the house, at least for me. A climbing hydrangea might work well or a viburnun. All the above will stand a few hours of shade.
Hope this helps.
terryr
12 years ago
Euonymus alata will need a lot of pruning. When we moved into this house, there were 3 on the N side. Under those 3 were thousands of tiny Euonymus alata. It gets berries on it. I shudder to think how many of our neighbors, far and wide, have because of those plants on the side of our house! We've gotten 3 Morus alba (white mulberry) trees so far and we've only lived in this house for 6 yrs!! I also pulled up a small Berberis thunbergii (Japanese barberry) from the S side of our house. I know neighbors up the street, to our N, have them. Birds again. We're also dealing with indian strawberries, I don't know the Latin name. I'm sure again, compliments of the birds.

Virginia Sweetspire (Itea virginica) would be a better choice than the Euonymus alata. 'Henry's Garnet' is a cultivar with reddish purple fall color. It's size is listed at 3' tall by 4' wide. Or any of the smaller viburnums would work too! :D
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Many H. vernalis cutlivars are superior to x intermedia, mollis and virginiana for zone 6 and above for fall color. Song Sparrow has several great culitvars available. Unless seeds are taken from the burning bush from around here and taken to other states I don't understand why they are invasive around here. The reason I actually don't like burning bush is that they are extremely drought intolerant. Neither virginiana nor vernalis has had much in the way of selective breeding or selection for desirable characteristics. I have to disagree from the H. vernalis perspective. There are cultivars that have MUCH more reliable fall color than that of the x intermedia cultivars. The color range is nice too. This is based on my experience and conversations with several midwest and eastcoast nursery men. Large commercial growers need to stop promoting and promulgating this and other weeds like Norway maple and Japanese barberry. I have to say I love some of my Berberis thunbergii cultivars!
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I have the "Fire ball" one...although its actual name is Euonymus alatus "select". I've had it for 3 years now. It is still only a foot tall. :( I am going to give it a few more years though, because last winter it got mowed over by deer, so I figure it gets a 2nd chance. It doesn't look like it has much - if any - die back this year though. It is in quite a sheltered south-facing location. As for fall color...I had so-so color the fall before last...last year I didn't have any fall color at all. It really depends on the fall I think. If it stays warm and then suddenly we get a bunch of frosts, the leaves just die green. If we have a long fall of cool nights, you'll get good color. So it won't be consistent. Overall, I'm a little disappointed with it...if nothing else, it really is a single purpose plant for me. It looks very plain throughout the summer, so it's only season to shine is fall in my situation. I don't really look at the garden whatsoever through the winter to enjoy its bark. BTW - I second Hykue about your questions, nutsaboutflowers!(I hope you don't mind if I start calling you "nuts"...I like typing shorter names!) Somebodies got to keep things hopping around here.
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Not a disease for burning bush. How long has it been in the ground? If planted only recently, the rootball can either be sopping or too dry. Stick an finger in it to learn which is the case. Same for the spirea. When you plant it, rig temporary shade. If it was fully leaved out when you untangled the roots, it needs considerable time to recover. By the way, also rig shade for the burning nush.
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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
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