4 named cultivars

shrub

Winged Euonymus

$29.95

The Story

Plant Bio

Euonymus alatus, the burning bush, is a dense deciduous shrub from south Siberia, China, Japan and neighbouring East Asia, reaching 15 to 20 ft high and wide where it is left unpruned. Young stems carry four conspicuous corky wings that define its winter outline. The plain green summer foliage turns an even fluorescent pink-red in autumn.

It seeds freely into woodland from bird-carried fruit and is banned or restricted from sale in several north-eastern American states, so check local rules before buying. All parts are poisonous if eaten. The famous autumn colour is far weaker on plants grown in shade, which is the usual reason a plant disappoints.

Uses & Benefits:

Reliable fluorescent pink-red autumn foliage and corky winged stems that carry structure into winter.

Tolerant of clay, compaction, drought, black walnut and hard pruning, which is why it was so widely planted in car parks and verges.

Birds eat the fruit and bees work the small spring flowers, but the same birds spread seed into native woodland, so its net ecological effect is negative in eastern North America.

Essentials

At a Glance

Plant Type

Shrub

Height

210 inches

Width

210 inches

Light

Full Sun, Partial Sun

Zones

4, 5, 6, 7, 8

Water

Low once established

Humidity

Average

Lifespan

Long-lived; over 50 years

Native To

South Siberia, East Asia, Japan and China

Toxicity

Toxic — listed as poisonous; fruit and seed harm if eaten

Marketplace

Where to Buy

PlantingTree

In Stock$29.95

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Planting

How to Grow

Check whether sale or planting is restricted in your state first.
Plant in full sun; shade dulls the autumn colour badly.
Allow the full 15 to 20 ft spread or plan to prune yearly.
Water through the first two seasons, then only in drought.
Prune in late winter, cutting to a framework rather than shearing.
Pull up any seedlings that appear in nearby beds or woodland.

Pro Tip

Autumn colour tracks light exposure almost exactly: the shaded half of a plant will stay dull green while the sunlit half burns red.

Keep It Thriving

Care Guide

Do

Grow it in full sun for the strongest autumn colour 🍁
Prune in late winter to a permanent framework ✂️
Remove seedlings from beds and boundaries each spring 🌱
Check local invasive-species rules before planting 📋

Don't

Do not plant it near woodland or waterways it can seed into ❌
Do not let children or pets eat the fruit or seed ❌
Do not shear it into a tight box; the winged stems are the point ❌

Seasonal Care Calendar

Task	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Prune To Shape
Remove Seedlings

Watch Out For

Pests & Diseases

Common Pests

Common Diseases

In the Garden

Landscape Uses & Companions

Landscape Uses

Autumn colour specimen in a large sunny shrub borderInformal deciduous screen or boundary hedgeWinter interest from the corky winged stems

Companion Plants

Oakleaf hydrangea Fothergilla Viburnum AmsoniaSwitchgrass

Multiply

Propagation Methods

Good to Know

Common Questions

Winged Euonymus questions

What zones can Winged Euonymus grow in?

Winged Euonymus is hardy in USDA Zones 4–8. Inside that range it survives winter in the ground; outside it, grow it as an annual or a container plant you protect.

Is Winged Euonymus deer resistant?

Yes — Winged Euonymus is rated deer-resistant. Deer typically pass it over, though extreme hunger can override any plant's defenses.

When does Winged Euonymus bloom?

Winged Euonymus typically blooms in spring, insignificant through late spring. Exact timing shifts a week or two with your zone — Sow's bloom calendar maps it to your garden.

Does Winged Euonymus need full sun?

Winged Euonymus does best in full sun to part shade. In hot climates, afternoon shade keeps blooms fresher longer.

Is Winged Euonymus drought tolerant?

Yes — once established (usually after the first full season), Winged Euonymus handles dry spells with minimal watering. Water deeply its first year to build the root system that makes that possible.