Substitutions for Euonymus alatus (Burning Bush)
The winged burning bush is now classified as an invasive species. Propagation and sale of this plant are prohibited in Minnesota. This prolific seed producer forms dense thickets with hundreds of seedlings underneath the parent plant and can dominate forest understory by shading out native plants under its dense shrub layer. Listed here are suggested substitutions for the Euonymus alatus that we no longer carry.
Dwarf Winged Substitutions
Dwarf Winged Euonymus: 6-8? x 6-8?, bushy and compact mound, scarlet red fall color, purple fruit.
| Brilliant Red Chokeberry | White spring flowers are followed by larger, more abundant glossy red fruit and brilliant red fall foliage. Butterflies and pollinators appreciate the early, nectar rich blooms. Upright growth habit. | 6-8’ x 4-5’ | Sun/part shade |
| Isanti Dogwood | Slow growing and forms a dense, compact mound. White flowers in spring form abundant white fruit in summer. Dark green foliage turns maroon in fall. Bright red twigs provide winter interest. | 5-6’ x 6-8’ | Sun/part shade |
| Red Twigged Dogwood | Upright, broad spreading habit. White spring flowers are followed by porcelain-blue fruits. Maroon fall color and red stems provide winter interest. Very adaptable to a variety of site conditions. | 8-10’ x 8-10’ | Sun/shade |
| Compact Amur Maple | Fragrant, yellowish flowers, brilliant orange to scarlet fall color, as well as abundant showy red samaras in late summer. Glossy green foliage withstands pruning to maintain compactness. | 6-9’ x 7-9’ | Sun/part shade |
| Compact American Viburnum | Dense, slightly broader form and fiery red fall color. White, flat-topped flower clusters bloom in June and are followed by bright red berries. Tolerates wet or dry. | 5-6’ x 5-6’ | Sun/shade |
| Mohican Viburnum | Compact, rounded form with creamy white, flat-topped spring flowers, followed by orange-red fruit in July lasting a month before turning black in fall. Dark green foliage turns purplish-red in fall. | 6-8’ x 6-8’ | Sun/part shade |
Little Moses Substitutions
Little Moses Euonymus: 2-3‘ x 2-3?, compact mound, fiery red to hot pink fall color.
| Shrub | Description | Size | Zone |
|---|---|---|---|
| Low Scape Mound Chokeberry | Low growing mound with abundant white flower clusters in spring followed by purple black fruit in summer. Dark glossy green foliage turns red in the fall. Very versatile; will grow in wet to dry soils. | 1-2’ x 2’ | Sun/part shade |
| Kelsey Dwarf Dogwood | Dwarf globe with white flower clusters in late spring followed by white berries. Green foliage turns a strong brick red in fall. Stems are purplish red and quite attractive in winter. | 2-3’ x 2-3’ | Sun/part shade |
| Muskingum Dogwood | Low mounded form with attractive foliage that emerges burgundy in spring, matures to gray-green, then turns burgundy red in fall. White flower clusters in June are followed by white berries. | 2-3’ x 3-5’ | Sun/part shade |
| Dwarf European Viburnum | No pruning required.White flowers are sporadic and fruitless. Small, three-lobed, maple leaf-like, dark green leaves emerge red-tinged and have a green to reddish-purple fall color. | 2-3’ x 2-4’ | Sun/part shade |