Euonymus alatus Burning Bush - 2 shrubs

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Unpot the rooted cutting and settle it into the soil so that its crown, where the roots and stem meet, sits slightly above ground level. Preventing development of seedheads is the first step in kochia control. The plant must be mowed frequently so it never grows beyond 18 to 26 inches (46-66 cm.). Top grafted tree: A height next to this form refers to the length of clear stem, which will not grow taller. Only the head of branches will develop. Ideal for small spaces. Feathered tree: Branches from the bottom of the trunk all the way up. These branches can be removed if a clear stem is required. Water well, and thereafter whenever the top two inches of the soil feel dry. Use a moisture meter to help with this task.

The most famous highlight of the burning bush is without doubt its foliage. While it is still green and rather inconspicuous during the summer, it turns from fiery red to pink or purple in the autumn, depending on the variety and location, making it a real eye-catcher. This also explains the common name of burning bush. The flowers of the burning bush, on the other hand, are rather inconspicuous. They are small, yellow-green and can be seen only between May and June. Instead, they develop striking red-orange capsule fruits that remain on the shrub throughout the winter and are readily eaten by birds as winter food. The fruits can also be extremely tempting to us humans – but you should not taste them, because they are poisonous to us. While the soil is still moist, apply a new three-inch layer of mulch, remembering not to let it touch the stems. In your own yard, it may not be a big issue though. The berries of the burning bush drop down and reseed, resulting in seedlings that have to be pulled, which can be a hassle. The bigger problem is that birds carry seeds into natural areas where the bush grows out of control. Don’t apply herbicides unless you are sure the chemicals are registered for control of kochia scoparia grass. Complicating the matter even more is the fact that kochia is resistant to some herbicides, including 2,4-D. This is a good time to seek the advice of your local Agricultural Extension Agent. If you buy a non-native shrub, you will receive a cultivated variety that has been developed from one or more species for landscaping use. And as there are no sterile cultivars available to date, self-sowing is to be expected.

The ideal soil is of average quality, drains well, and has a pH of 6.0 to 7.5. However, a variety of soils and pH levels may be tolerated, provided the drainage is good. The growth rate of a burning bush is about one to two feet per year. Mature shrubs have above average drought tolerance. Growing Tips Growing non-native plants is often frowned upon because they can become invasive, taking over the landscape, choking out native plants, and doing little to nothing to support endemic species. On the flip side, conditions that are too wet may also invite trouble, in the form of a disease called twig blight. CONTAINS MYCORRHIZAL FUNGI - A naturally occuring organism, Mycorrhizal Fungi has been benefiting plants in our world for millions of years. Rootgrow is a granular feed that is commonly used to promote vigourous and robust growth, even in poor soils

Remember that E. alatus is a prolific self-sower that is considered invasive in almost half of the US. Native E. atropurpureus also self-sows with vigor. Use sterilized pruners to cut a 4- to 6-inch length of stem that has at least four pairs of leaves. This is best done during the active growing season, no later than midsummer. Burning bush grows well in USDA plant hardiness zones 4 to 8 but can become invasive in the warmer ranges. Burning bush plants may get 9 to 15 feet (2.5 – 4.5 m.) tall and are suitable for full sun to partial sun locations. Euonymus alatus‘Fireball’: Here, too, the name says it all, because the growth of the variety ‘Fireball’ is spherical. The shrub grows up to 3 metres high and almost as wide. However, it is very slow to reach these dimensions, as ‘Fireball’, like the species, grows very slowly, by about 10 to 20 cm per year. Other than that, maintenance needs are minimal. Use clean pruners to cut dead branches, so your shrub can refocus its efforts on feeding the healthy ones.You can plant a dwarf form of the bush in small spaces or to minimize maintenance, especially since the plant’s 15-foot (4.5 m.) height may be too great for some landscape applications. There are two excellent cultivars, which produce smaller, dwarf forms of this bright Euonymous: Across almost half of the United States, from the Northeast to the South and Midwest, E. alatus is classified as invasive. Pruning off affected branch portions and treating with a fungicide early in the season may restore good health.