Burning Bush, or Euonymus alatus, is one of the most popular landscape shrubs used in American gardens. It was imported from Asia as early as the mid 1800s for its durability and spectacular fall color and is commonly used in hedges or even as centerpieces to a landscape.
Unfortunately, as is the case with many imported plants, it has demonstrated a great ability to escape cultivation and invade native woodland areas, out-competing understory natives and hampering biodiversity.
Read on to learn why Burning Bush is a problem for local ecosystems plus several native plant alternatives that offer similar functions in the landscape while supporting pollinators and our ecosystems.
Burning Bush is a common landscape plant that is also invasive. Photo credit: Sue Thompson
The Problem with Invasive Burning Bush
As early as 1970, reports were made of Burning Bush escaping planted contexts and invading nearby woodland areas. The shrub reproduces via seeds (often carried by birds) and once established, it quickly thickens, making roots when any part of the plant makes ground contact. Given the speed with which Burning Bush can dominate an area, it often thrives to the detriment of existing native trees, shrubs, and perennials.
Because of Burning Bush and other similar invasive plants (such as Bush Honeysuckle, Winter Creeper, and Miscanthus) our native woodlands are experiencing a crisis.
Ohio Valley woodlands have seen a dramatic decrease in biodiversity in recent decades, and many beloved spring ephemerals—once common sights—are spotted rarely if at all.
For our native ecosystems, this means there is less food and habitat available for pollinators and wildlife throughout the year. This is particularly true for pollinators such as bees and butterflies, who require a variety of plants blooming at different times of the year to provide consistent sources of nectar.
In response to these negative ecological effects, Delaware has banned the sale and propagation of Burning Bush, with Pennsylvania soon to follow.
Given the historical damage the horticultural industry has unleashed on the American landscape, we have a responsibility to be more conscious of the types of plants we introduce to our local ecosystems.
It is no longer enough to plant beautiful plants only. We must instead choose plants that are beautiful while also providing ecological benefit.
Arrowwood Viburnum is a great native plant alternative to Burning Bush. Photo credit: F.D. Richards
Native Plant Alternatives to Burning Bush
If you have Burning Bush in your yard, the good news is that there are many native plant alternatives you can use to create beautiful hedges. Making the switch from Burning Bush to a native shrub(s) will mean you are doing your part to heal our Ohio Valley ecosystems.
Close up on Arrowwood Viburnum, a native plant alternative to Burning Bush. Photo credit: Dan Keck
Arrowwood Viburnum is an excellent native alternative to Burning Bush. It is an easily growing shrub with fragrant white flowers that works wonderfully in hedges or as a focal point in a larger bed.
Black Chokeberry is a native alternative to Burning Bush that offers fall color and ample food for pollinators. Photo credit: Cranbrook Science