Burningbush (E. alatus)
Also known as: Winged Euonymus · Winged Spindle
What's special about Burningbush (E. alatus)
Fiery scarlet fall color; distinctive corky winged stems.
Growing this variety
Burningbush (E. alatus) follows the same growing basics as Euonymus. Variety-specific maturity above; everything else below applies to the whole Euonymus family.
Germination
Spacing & depth
How to plant
Remove fleshy aril, then cold-moist stratify 2–4 months. Sow in deep pots in well-drained mix. Protect from rodents; seeds are attractive to wildlife.
Pre-sow treatment
60–120 days cold-moist stratification after removing the aril.
Grower's tip
Many species have brilliant fall color or variegated evergreen foliage. Some species are invasive in certain regions — check local guidelines before planting.
Woody plant facts
Good to know before you grow this
Can spread aggressively and is invasive in some regions — check your local invasive-species list before planting.
Soil preferences
Free-draining garden soil. Most shrubs fail from wet feet, not poor fertility.
5.5–7.0 for most; acid-lovers (rhododendron, blueberry) want 4.5–5.5.
Mulch a wide ring with compost or bark each spring; keep mulch off the stems.
Watering
Deep soak weekly for the first two seasons, then only in drought.
Slow soak over the root zone, not the crown.
Overwatered: yellowing leaves, dieback, sour soil. Underwatered: leaf scorch, early leaf drop, sparse bloom.
Prefers top-watering — Top-water only — deep slow soak at the drip line, never at the trunk. Bottom-watering is only for tree seedlings in nursery pots (shallow tray 15 min). Established trees always get watered from above onto the soil.
Temperature tolerance
Broad — hardy shrubs handle 35–90°F once established
Down to the species' rated zone minimum
Hardy once established; first-winter seedlings need a mulch collar or cold frame.
Special germination requirements
Most temperate tree seed needs cold stratification (30–120+ days at 34–41°F) — see each species entry for the exact time.
Container growing
Possible with the right cultivar
10–20 gal (38–76 L) for a long-term potted shrub
Dwarf and compact forms do fine in large pots; full-size shrubs eventually need the ground.
Detailed harvesting
Prune rather than harvest — take out dead, damaged and crossing stems, and cut spring bloomers right after flowering so you don't remove next year's buds.
Post-harvest storage & preservation
Not applicable — this is a permanent planting.
Culinary, medicinal & other uses
Structure, hedging, screening, wildlife cover and season-long flower or berry interest.
Medicinal or traditional uses are shared for interest only — this is not medical advice. Consult a qualified professional before using any plant medicinally.
Seed saving
Mostly insect-pollinated; seedlings vary from the parent.
Not practical. Named cultivars must be grown from cuttings, not seed.
Collect ripe seed or clean berries in fall, then cold-stratify before spring sowing.
Your zone's planting calendar
Pick your USDA hardiness zone and we'll estimate the key dates for euonymus in your area. These are regional averages — always check your own last-frost forecast before sowing.
My Burningbush (E. alatus) Euonymus notes
Burningbush (E. alatus) Euonymus seeds on hand
Track packets and loose seeds you already have. Private to your account.
Par level — leave at 0 for no alert. Anything below par shows on Seed Starting and your shopping list.
Order more seeds
Running low? Reorder from one of these seed stores.
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Other Euonymus varieties
European Euonymus (E. europaea)
Year 2+Classic hedgerow shrub with pink-and-orange capsules.
Winter Creeper (E. fortunei)
Year 2+Evergreen groundcover or climbing vine; many variegated cultivars.
Hamilton's Spindletree (E. hamiltonianus)
Year 2+Large shrub with pink capsules and good fall color.
Japanese Spindle Tree (E. hamiltonianus var. sieboldianus)
Year 2+Asian variety with showy fruit and reliable autumn reds.
Broadleaf Euonymus (E. latifolius)
Year 2+Himalayan species with broad leaves and coral-pink capsules.
Maack's Spindletree (E. maackii)
Year 2+Cold-hardy shrub with red capsules that split to show orange seeds.
Many-flowered Spindle (E. myrianthus)
Year 2+Evergreen species with abundant yellow flowers and large fruit.
Korean Spindle (E. oxyphyllus)
Year 2+Korean native with excellent red-purple fall foliage.
Cork Spindle Tree (E. phellomanus)
Year 2+Striking corky bark ridges; orange-pink capsules in fall.
Flat-stalked Spindle (E. sachalinensis)
Year 2+Cold-hardy species with pink capsules and red fall leaves.