Burning bush prefer to grow in a sunny spot, and in soil that is moist (not wet) and slightly acidic. Fortunately, they also adapt to partial shade, poor soil, dry soil, and the wrong pH, although each of these elements may adversely affect their fall color display.
Things to consider:
The rapid breakdown of hardwood mulch around the shrubs may result in a nitrogen deficiency (yellow leaves and slow growth). This can be remedied by yearly applications of fertilizer, or by switching to a mulch that decays more slowly.
Plants benefit from being fertilized annually in the spring before new growth begins. Have your soil tested first to determine existing nutrient levels before starting a fertilizer regime.
Burning bush growing in alkaline soil may develop mild leaf chlorosis (yellowing leaves). Like nitrogen deficiencies, this problem can also be remedied through a yearly application of the right type of fertilizer.
Prolonged stress like an extended summer drought may cause your burning bush to turn color prematurely.
Burning bush is generally trouble-free, but watch out for scale and powdery mildew.
Options:
Exposure: Sun/partial shade.
Soil: Not super fussy, but does need ample drainage.
Form: Shrub-like; starts with an upright growth habit becoming more rounded with age.
Foliage/bark: 1 to 3-inch long narrow leaves, finely serrated; medium to dark green in summer and turning flaming red (full sun) to pale pink (shade) in the fall. The bark has visible corky ridges on the regular-sized species, but is smaller and less distinctive on the so-named "dwarf" variety.
Flower/fruit: Inconspicuous flowers in late spring/early summer; produces tiny red-orange fruits in the fall that are attractive to wildlife.
Height/spread: Will slowly grow to 8 to 10 feet tall with a spread as wide ("Compactus"); other varieties may be much taller. Euonymus alatus 'Rudy Haag' is shorter - typically reaching 5 feet tall and 5 feet wide.
Growth rate: Slow to moderate.
Hardiness: Most varieties are hardy to zone 4.
Winged burning bush can invade a variety of disturbed habitats including forest edges, fields, and roadways. Once established, it can form a dense stand that chokes out native vegetation. Before planting burning bush, check the Invasive Plant Atlas of the United States to see if it is considered a threat in your area.
http://www.invasiveplantatlas.org/subject.html?sub=3023#maps
How can you start a new bush from the one you have?
By Jane
Is it too late to plant a burning bush?
By Jr from MO
My sister says the leaves on her burning bush are looking like you can almost see thru them. I want to help her with them, but am not sure where to start or what exactly to do.
By Libby F.
I sprayed my yard with bug spray and since then all the leaves have fallen off of my burning bushes and they look dead. It is August and I don't know what to do to make them produce more leaves. Should I go ahead and prune them to three inches or wait until early spring? We live in Tennessee and the temps are crazy this time of year so I don't know what to do. Can anyone help?
By Heather
My burning bushes have been healthy for 15 years, but 4 years ago they started developing light green spots on the new growth. By mid summer the leaves start turning brown around the edges and dying. They start the spring full, green, and healthy looking and then become diseased. No one knows what is wrong with them. Can you help?
By Sam P
We recently planted a dwarf burning bush. It is in full sun, in sandy, well drained soil and I water it daily. Some of the leaves are brittle and brown. Am I watering too much?
By Pam
This is our brilliant fall burning bush and variegated barberry.
I live in Texas, when is the best time to plant a dwarf burning bush?
Hardiness Zone: 8b
By Lou from San Angelo, TX
Will a burning bush grow in acidic soil where pine trees used to be?
My Burning Bush shrub has turned red and the bush is dying. The four other Burning Bushes are fine. What could have happen?
My Burning Bush leaves are droopy, the soil is moist.
I'm trying to find information on the care and growing of the plant called "Burning Bush". How often should they be given plant food, pruning, any kind of disease to look for, etc.?
I received some bare root burning bush hedge plants, about 25 of them. I planted them in the fall last year, in October. When I first received them from gardendirect.com and planted them they started showing leaves and signs of growth after just a couple weeks. Then as winter came they lost all the leaves and the stems went from green to red.
Now it is near the end of March and they are not showing any signs of growth however if I scratch the stem it is still showing green under the bark. Am I just being impatient or should they be out of dormancy by now? I live in northern California.They leaf out later than many other bushes. Let nature take its course.
I have a small courtyard that gets tons of sun. I'm planning on planting a dwarf burning bush that I plan to diligently maintain in small tree form (5-6' H 4-5' W). Is there a chance the root system could damage an adjacent concrete patio as the bush gets older?
Even if I maintain the size, is there any chance it can outgrow the space? Thanks!
I dont think it will be an issue with either roots or the space
