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Burning Bush: The Best Shrub For Fall Colour

RCN-The Best Shrub for Fall Colour Burning Bush-dwarf burning bush foliage_2

If you think your yard could use a punch of extra colour in the fall, we would highly recommend that you consider planting a dwarf burning bush! Native to Northeastern Asia, the burning bush is part of the large Euonymus family of deciduous shrubs and small trees. Euonymus alatus and Euonymus alatus ‘Compactus’ (the dwarf version of a burning bush) are grown for their absolutely stunning crimson foliage. If grown and cared for properly, your burning bush will treat you with winged branches of the most spectacular fiery red, finely-pointed leaves that droop ever-so-gracefully from their unique, arching stems. These vibrant shrubs are relatively easy to maintain here in Southern Ontario and will add the most amazing colour to your landscape design. 

Burning Bush Planting, Care & Growing Guide

As mentioned, there are numerous varieties of burning bush; some which reach heights of between 15 to 20 feet at maturity; these are not ones that are commonly found in your local garden centre.  The smaller, more compact dwarf burning bush which reaches heights of six to eight feet at maturity, is the go-to for most gardeners. For clarity’s sake, we will speak specifically to growing and caring for dwarf burning bush.

Royal city nursery burning bush shrub

How to Plant & Grow Dwarf Burning Bush

Burning bush is as easy to grow as it is gorgeous and can either be used as a statement piece or as a privacy screen if that is what you are in the market for. Here at Royal City Nursery, you can pick up a young dwarf burning bush in a 3-gallon pot. 

They will tolerate part shade but do require well-draining soil, and their red fall colour will really flourish if planted in full sun. Plant your dwarf burning bush in the fall or early spring and prepare for the emerald green leaves to turn a drop-dead scarlet each autumn season for years to come. 

Royal City Nursery burning bush in garden

Planting Your Dwarf Burning Bush

  1. Water your starter plant thoroughly and dig a hole approximately twice the width of the root ball and as deep as the root ball; you want the top of the root ball to be flush with the top of the soil or just slightly raised (about a ¼ inch of the root ball sticking out above the soil line). 

  2. If your soil quality is questionable, mix some compost into the soil, and put both bone meal and root rescue into the hole where you will plant. 

  3. Gently loosen the potting medium, firmly hold your burning bush by its trunk and delicately slide it out of its pot. 

  4. Place your dwarf burning bush in the prepared hole and fill the hole in with your compost amended soil. Tamp the soil down with your hands periodically as you go. 

  5. Spread a healthy layer (about 2 to 3 inches) of organic mulch around your newly planted burning bush and give it a slow, deep watering to help it settle into its new home. If you intend to create a burning bush hedge, repeat the process, planting each shrub approximately 5 to 7 feet apart. 

Caring For Your Dwarf Burning Bush

These easy-to-care-for, pest-resistant deciduous shrubs definitely fall into the ‘low maintenance’ category that we love. Once established, they are quite drought-tolerant. Like any newly planted shrub or tree, you will want to water them a little more often to start, and then you can reduce it back to roughly an inch a week. 

To boost growth, or maintain a particular shape, prune your burning bush in either early spring or late winter. It will also appreciate a slow-release fertilizer designed for shrubs and trees in early spring. Expect your burning bush to grow at a moderate rate of one to two feet per year until they reach their mature height.

If you’d like some help deciding where to plant your burning bush or what to pair it with for a truly knockout landscape design, consider booking a landscaping consultation with one of the pros at Royal City Nursery. Give us a ring or stop by our garden centre in Guelph for more fall colour inspiration!

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