Overview

Euonymus alatus is a bushy shrubs in the genus Euonymus, part of the Celastraceae family, with deciduous foliage. It typically grows around 1.5-2.5 metres tall and 1.5-2.5 metres wide, reaching full size in around 10-20 years. Euonymus alatus grows best in full sun and partial shade, and tolerates most soils and any pH. Its UK hardiness is rated H6. It is low maintenance. Suggested uses include hedging and screens, cottage and informal garden, wildlife gardens, low maintenance and flower borders and beds. It is native to central and northern China, Japan and Korea.

About

Euonymus alatus, known variously as burning bush, winged euonymus, winged spindle, and winged spindle-tree, is a species of flowering plant in the family Celastraceae, native to central and northern China, Japan, and Korea. It is a popular ornamental plant in gardens and parks due to its bright pink or orange fruit and attractive autumn color: The common name "burning bush" refers to its bright red autumn color. The cultivars 'Compactus' and 'Fire Ball' have gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit. It grows to around 1.5-2.5 metres tall and 1.5-2.5 metres wide, carrying deciduous foliage. Grow it in full sun and partial shade and most soil types. It tolerates soil of any pH, moist but well-drained, well-drained conditions and south-facing, north-facing, west-facing and east-facing aspects.

Wikipedia contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0 — Euonymus alatus

About the genus

Euonymus is a genus of flowering plants in the staff vine family Celastraceae. Common names vary widely among different species and between different English-speaking countries, but include spindle, burning-bush, strawberry-bush, wahoo, wintercreeper, or simply euonymus. It has about 140 species of deciduous and evergreen shrubs, small trees and lianas.

Wikipedia contributors, "Euonymus", CC BY-SA 4.0 — Euonymus

Growing conditions

Best soil and position for Euonymus

Sunlight

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil type

Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand

Soil pH

Acid, Alkaline, Neutral

Soil moisture

Moist but well-drained, Well-drained

Aspect

South-facing, North-facing, West-facing, East-facing

Exposure

Exposed, Sheltered

UK hardiness

H6

Plant details

Euonymus alatus size, habit and characteristics

Plant type

Shrubs

Habit

Bushy

Foliage

Deciduous

Height

1.5-2.5 metres

Spread

1.5-2.5 metres

Time to full height

10-20 years

Suggested uses

Hedging and screens, Cottage and informal garden, Wildlife gardens, Low Maintenance, Flower borders and beds

Native to

central and northern China, Japan, Korea

Care notes

Pruning and caring for Euonymus alatus

Cultivation

Grow in full sun to partial shade in moist but well-drained soil of any pH. Tolerates a range of soil types including chalk, clay, loam, and sand. Suitable for exposed and sheltered locations.

Pruning

Prune in late winter or early spring to maintain shape and remove dead or damaged wood. Can be pruned hard to rejuvenate if necessary.

Propagation

Seed, Semi-hardwood cuttings, Softwood cuttings

Pest resistance

Vine weevil, Horse chestnut scale, Euonymus scale, Caterpillars

Disease resistance

Powdery mildews, Leaf spot, Honey fungus

Frequently asked questions