Family: Celastraceae
Common Name: winged euonymus, burning bush
Origin/Ecology: Native to northeastern Asia to Middle China
Habit: Dense, mounded, spreading, flat-topped, multi-stemmed shrub. Grows to 10′.
Leaves: Elliptic to obovate, crenulate to serrulate, green leaves (to 3″ long) turn bright red in fall.
Leaf Arrangement: opposite
Flowers and Fruit: Small, yellowish-green flowers in May, not showy. Small fruits (1/3″ capsules) ripen in fall. Capsules open when ripe to reveal tiny seeds encased in orange-red aril.
Bark: Greenish-brown stems have corky ridges (“wings”).
Water Use, Soil: Average, medium moisture, well-drained soil. Tolerates wide range of soils except for wet, poorly-drained ones. Need consistent moisture, particularly when in full sun.
Exposure: Full sun to near-full shade.
Landscape Uses: Specimen/accent, group or mass. Foundations, shrub borders, screen, hedge, woodland gardens.
Limitations: No serious pests/diseases. Possibly twig blight in wet soil. Can become naturalized in some areas and potentially invasive.
Other Features: Attractive to birds. Very hardy. Wings occur when plant is stressed.