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Spectacular vivid red autumn colour of the burning bushShrubs

Euonymus alatus

Burning Bush

burning bushautumn colourornamental shrubbird-friendlycorky wings

The burning bush is a broadly spreading shrub famous for its spectacular, vivid red autumn colour — one of the most intense of all garden plants. The branches display distinctive cork-like wings. After leaf fall, small pink-orange fruits appear that attract birds.

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Characteristics

Sun
Full sun, Partial shade
Water
Medium
Height
150–300 cm
Spread
150–300 cm
Hardiness zone
4–8
Family
Celastraceae
Evergreen
No
Flower colors
green
Wildlife value
birds

Bloom period

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

Care guide

Plant in sun to partial shade in virtually any soil type. Autumn colour is most vivid in full sun. The shrub is winter-hardy and requires little care once established. Feeding is rarely needed.

Pruning tips

Prune in late spring after leaves have unfurled to correct the shape. The shrub grows slowly and seldom needs pruning. Remove any crossing or dead branches in winter.

Good companions

Cloud-like pink flower plumes of the smoke tree with purple foliageShrubs

Cotinus coggygria

Smoke Tree

The smoke tree is a spectacular ornamental shrub with cloud-like, fluffy flower plumes in shades of pink appearing in June and July, giving the tree its 'smoky' appearance. Cultivars with dark purple foliage provide dramatic colour throughout the season. Autumn colour is equally impressive.

Full sunLow300–500 cm
Variegated wintercreeper with green and white foliage as ground coverShrubs

Euonymus fortunei

Wintercreeper

Wintercreeper is a versatile evergreen shrub that can function as both ground cover and climbing plant. The variegated foliage with green and white or golden margins provides year-round colour. The plant is particularly suited to filling shady spots in the garden.

Partial shadeMedium30–300 cm
Japanese barberry with intense purple-red foliage in a sunny gardenShrubs

Berberis thunbergii

Japanese Barberry

Japanese Barberry is a compact, thorny shrub that captivates year-round with purple-red foliage, yellow spring flowers and red autumn berries. The plant excels as an informal hedge or a solitary accent. Thorns make the shrub a natural barrier.

Full sunLow100–200 cm