Shrubs - Burning Bush
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  (October) Several years ago my wife and I were in Pennsylvania and purchased two small bushes the locals call fire bushes. They seem to do well in that area and turned a brilliant burning orange/red in the fall. We transplanted these two shrubs in our yard in Conway and they have grown very large. A couple of problems we are having. This time of year they seem to start dropping all of their leaves so very little if any color appears in the fall. The other problem is that these bushes seem to be home to dozens of sparrows. Could the birds be the cause of the leaves dropping due to the birds taking up residence in them and all the defecating that is taking place. I try to make my yard a bird sanctuary by providing many bird feeders and bird baths. I enjoy my yard full of birds which unfortunately seem to be mainly sparrows but would also enjoy seeing these bushes in full fall color as we did in Pennsylvania. Any advice you could provide would be appreciated.

  We seem to be having a lot of travelers to the New England area these days, all coming back with reports of the spectacular fire bushes -- which we call burning bush. Euonymus alatus is the scientific name, and yes they do grow here as well. Fall color is often not as spectacular in the south as it is in the northern states, due to fall weather conditions, and sometimes summer stress. For ideal fall color, the plants prefer cool nights and warm days, ample soil moisture and a shift in the temperatures. Often our fall temperatures are still quite high, and the nights can be almost as warm as our days. I don't think birds should be causing leaf drop, but do pay attention to watering needs. Don't overdo it, but don’t let them shut down early because of dry conditions.

  Can you tell me the name of the enclosed bush? It is commonly seen in several homes in my neighborhood, and it is not very outstanding during the growing season, but come fall "WOW" is it beautiful, turning a brilliant fire engine red. What is it and are they available at nurseries. I cut this small cutting off of my neighbors bush.

  The plant in question is commonly called the burning bush, Euonymus alatus. It is an outstanding addition to the landscape, and should be readily available at nurseries throughout the state. There are standard forms which grow up to 15 feet or dwarfs which stay much shorter. Although it is a euonymus, it is not susceptible to the scale insect that plagues so many of our euonymus plants. Plant it in full to partial sun.

  The enclosed clipping is from a beautiful red bush in my yard. It is green in the summer, and turns brilliant red in the fall. I call it a burning bush. Do you know the correct name for it? Thank you.

  The plant is typically called a burning bush. It is Euonymus alatus, or winged euonymus. It is a deciduous plant with green foliage all growing season, until fall, when it truly comes alive. This year the color was quite spectacular.

  Please identify the enclosed plant for me. We just moved into this place and we have loads of landscaping to do, but these bushes were already here.

  The plant with the ridges or "wings" along the main stem is a burning bush, Euonymus alatus. This plant should turn a beautiful red this fall.

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