Learn / Ask The Landscape Professional
I have Burning Bush shrubs in my yard, but I read that they are very invasive. What's the story and what should I do?
Answer
Now that fall is just around the corner, Burning Bush,
one of our region's most colorful fall shrubs, is about to
show in all of its bright red glory.
Unfortunately, Burning Bush, known as Euonymus alata,
is a non-native invasive plant that can be a threat to your
entire landscape and can overrun your yard and our
woodlands. Burning Bush is indigenous to Asia and was
introduced and planted for its hardiness and bright red
fall color. Before people realized how invasive it was,
states used to plant it in large groupings along highways
and homeowners planted it all around their properties.
The issue with Burning Bush is that it is easily spread by
wildlife and can form dense groves that alter the structure of the natural plant communities
in our woodlands. Birds eat their fruit and then disperse the seeds over wide areas.
I have had people tell me that they only have one Burning Bush in their yard and don't
see any evidence of it spreading, and while that may be true, your one Burning Bush can
be the source of hundreds of others scattered over dozens of square miles. Burning Bush
has been banned in Massachusetts and New Hampshire and has been placed on the
Invasive Plants List here in Connecticut.
The best way to control Burning Bush is to not plant it in the first place. However, if you
find it on your property it is important to either remove it yourself or have Sprigs & Twigs
remove it before it causes additional damage. You must dig Burning Bush up by the roots
and bag it because, like most invasives, it can regrow from a missed piece or two.
There are many great non-invasive alternatives to Burning Bush that Sprigs & Twigs can
plant for you including: Black Chokeberry (Aronia melanocarpa), Highbush Blueberry
(Vaccinium corymbosum), Fragrant Sumac (Rhus aromatica), Witch-alder (Fothergilla
gardenii), Oak-leaf Hydrangea (Hydrangea quercifolia) and Arrow-wood Viburnum (Viburnum
dentatum), to name a few. Give us a call.
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About Linda Lillie
Linda K. Lillie is the President of Sprigs & Twigs, Inc, the premier
landscape design and maintenance, tree care, lawn care, stonework, and carpentry
service provider in southeastern Connecticut since 1997. She is a graduate of
Connecticut College in Botany, a Connecticut Master Gardener and a national
award winning landscape designer for her landscape design and landscape installation work.
