Hey there, fellow garden enthusiasts! I’m super excited to share everything I know about one of my absolute favorite shrubs – the Compact Burning Bush (Euonymus alatus ‘Compactus’). If you’re looking to add some serious wow factor to your fall landscape, you’ve gotta check this beauty out!
What Makes This Bush So Special?
Let me tell ya, this ain’t your ordinary garden shrub! The Compact Burning Bush is like that quiet friend who suddenly becomes the life of the party when autumn rolls around. Here’s what makes it amazing
- It’s a more manageable version of the regular Burning Bush – tops out at 8-11 feet tall
- Gets its name from those incredible bright red fall leaves (trust me, it’s SPECTACULAR!)
- Super adaptable – handles sun or partial shade like a champ
- Perfect for smaller gardens or when you don’t want something too massive
Growing Your Own Burning Bush: The Basics
Ideal Growing Conditions
I’ve grown these babies in various spots, and here’s what they really like:
-
Soil They’re not picky! Does well in
- Clay
- Sandy
- Loamy
- High organic matter
- pH levels from acidic to alkaline
-
Sunlight:
- Full sun (6+ hours) = best fall color
- Partial shade (2-6 hours) = still good but less intense color
-
Water:
- Likes consistent moisture
- Good drainage is a MUST
- Don’t let it sit in wet soil (it’ll throw a fit!)
The Four Seasons of Burning Bush
Spring
- Small, not-so-showy greenish-maroon flowers
- New green leaves emerge
- Time for pruning if needed
Summer
- Dense, dark green foliage
- Low-maintenance season
- Just keep it watered during dry spells
Fall (The Star of the Show!)
- AMAZING red fall color
- Small reddish-purple berries appear
- This is when everyone stops to ask “What’s that bush?!”
Winter
- Interesting corky “wings” on branches
- Deciduous – drops its leaves
- Architectural interest in the garden
Maintenance Tips (Keep It Looking Sharp!)
-
Pruning:
- Best done in early spring
- Can handle heavy pruning if needed
- Shape it how you want – it’s pretty forgiving
-
Potential Problems
- Watch out for spider mites
- Twig blight can be an issue in wet conditions
- Deer find it tasty (maybe too tasty!)
Important Warnings (Gotta Keep It Real!)
Look, I love this plant, but there are some things you should know:
- It’s considered invasive in some eastern/midwest areas
- All parts are poisonous if eaten (keep an eye on kids!)
- Birds spread the seeds, which can lead to unwanted spreading
Native Alternatives (If You’re Going Local)
If you’re worried about the invasive aspect, try these native alternatives:
- Euonymus americanus
- Itea virginica
- Vaccinium corymbosum
Design Ideas (Where to Plant It)
I’ve used this bush in tons of different ways:
- Foundation plantings
- Border specimens
- Asian garden themes
- Accent pieces
- Mass plantings (space ’em 8-14 feet apart)
Final Thoughts
The Compact Burning Bush is like that perfect party guest – looks good, plays well with others, and knows when to shine. Yeah, it’s got some quirks (don’t we all?), but with proper planning and care, it’s an absolute showstopper!
If you’re thinking about adding one to your garden, just remember:
- Choose your location wisely
- Keep it contained if you’re in an area where it might spread
- Get ready for compliments when fall rolls around!
I’d love to hear about your experiences with this fantastic plant! Have you grown one? Planning to? Drop me a comment below and let’s chat about it!
Pro Tip: If you want an even more compact version, check out the ‘Rudy Haag’ cultivar – it only grows 3-5 feet tall!
Free Shipping On All Orders $199+
- In Stock
- Stay Protected with Plant Sentry ™
Plant Size
Compacta Burning Bush – #1 Container is backordered and will ship as soon as it is back in stock. Qty This item is a recurring or deferred purchase. By continuing, I agree to the
Plant Sentry is designed to protect both consumers and the nursery trade from invasive plant pests and diseases. Sites that display the Plant Sentry protection badge are protected from consumers buying and nurseries shipping material carrying invasive pests and diseases.
This proprietary eCommerce software prevents the shipment of a restricted plant to each state. The Plant Sentry system includes a shipment certification program. The Plant Sentry Compliance Officer works closely with NatureHills.com and each nursery or fulfillment center to ensure only compliant plants are sold to customers.
Click Here to learn more
To obtain a more accurate shipment time-frame, simply enter your zip code in the “Find Your Growing Zone” box to the right. Our plants are grown all over the country and lead time on items may be different because of this. Once your order is placed, you will also receive the specific shipment time-frame information as part of your order confirmation. Once an item ships, you will receive shipment notification and tracking numbers, so you can follow along while your plant travels to your doorstep. We use FedEx, UPS, or USPS at our discretion.
Due to winter weather we have put a hold on shipping to the areas shown below in grey. You can still order now and we will ship the plant to you during an appropriate time for your zone.
At Nature Hills we handle, package and ship the products you order with the utmost care to ensure healthy delivery. Shipping and handling charges are calculated based on the tables below. Please note that some items include an additional handling surcharge, these will be noted on the items product page.
| From | To | S&H |
|---|---|---|
| $0 | $19.99 | $24.99 |
| $20 | $49.99 | $29.99 |
| $50 | $69.99 | $34.99 |
| $70 | $99.99 | $39.99 |
| $100 | $129.99 | $44.99 |
| $130 | $149.99 | $48.99 |
| $150 | $150+ | Approx 28% |
Click here to see our full rates
Nature Hills offers plants in two main formats:
- Container Plants: Grown in pots with soil, sized by container volume and plant age
- Bare Root Plants: Dormant plants without soil, sized by height measurements
Container sizes indicate plant age and growing capacity rather than liquid volume equivalents. Our containers follow industry-standard nursery “trade gallon” specifications, which differ from standard liquid gallon measurements.
Established Plants (18 months to 5 years old)
| Container Size | Actual Volume | Metric Equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| 2 Quart | 2 dry quarts | 2.2 dry liters |
| #1 Container | 2.26 – 3.73 dry quarts | 2.49 – 4.11 dry liters |
| 5″ x 5″ x 12″ | 3.5 – 4.3 dry quarts | 3.85 – 4.74 dry liters |
Planting A Dwarf Burning Bush | Euonymus alatus ‘Compactus’
FAQ
How big do burning bush compacta get?
This dense, twiggy, flat-topped multi-stemmed shrub grows with a graceful vase-shaped habit, up to 9-10 ft. tall and wide (270-300 cm). A full sun to part shade lover, this plant is easily grown in average, medium moisture, well-drained soils.
Why are burning bushes illegal in the US?
Burning bush, also known as winged euonymus, is not illegal throughout the entire US, but it is banned in several states and municipalities due to its invasive nature.
What is the problem with the burning bush shrub?
The Threat of Burning Bush
Due to its bright red autumn leaves and high fruit production, many people still use burning bush today as an ornamental plant, but there is one problem: burning bush damages surrounding woodlands. Berries of burning bush.
Where is the best place to plant a burning bush?
Burning bushes thrive in locations with full to partial sunlight (4 to 6 hours of sun daily) and well-drained soil, even tolerating sandy or clay soils if drainage is adequate. They prefer slightly acidic soil but adapt to various pH levels.