Burning bush (Winged spindle)

Euonymus alatus

East Asian deciduous shrub with distinctive corky-winged stems and foliage that turns the most intense fluorescent pink-red of any autumn shrub. The colour is so vivid the common name describes it as on fire.

Hardiness ratings

Burning bush (Winged spindle) hardiness across the four zone systems
SystemRatingTemperature rangeHow to read it
USDA hardiness zone Zone 4–8 −34.4 °C to −6.7 °C Plant tolerates down to this zone
RHS hardiness rating H6 −20 °C to −15 °C Plant needs at least this level of cold tolerance
Canadian plant hardiness zone Zone 4–7 −29 °C to −7 °C Plant tolerates down to this zone
Australian (ANBG) zone Zone 2–5 −10 °C to 10 °C Plant tolerates down to this zone

Growing notes

  • Brilliant fluorescent pink-red autumn colour in October — arguably the most intense autumn colour of any garden shrub
  • WARNING: Listed INVASIVE in much of the eastern United States — banned for sale in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Maine and several other states, and listed as invasive in many more, do not plant in eastern North America
  • Corky winged stems provide secondary winter structural interest
  • Within Europe and Australia (where it is not invasive) it remains a top-tier autumn shrub

Pet caution: Burning bush (Winged spindle) is listed as potentially harmful to cats and/or dogs. Keep pets from grazing on it, and contact a vet if you suspect your animal has eaten some.

Categories

Related plants

Cross-check Burning bush (Winged spindle) against your zones

Reference

Burning bush (Winged spindle) on Wikipedia