10/04/2026
Invasive Plant of the Month: Burning Bush - winged euonymus
By Kelley Morgan
Beauty or Beast: The Trouble with Burning Bush
When autumn arrives in Posey County, few shrubs put on a more spectacular show than burning bush. Its brilliant crimson-red foliage has made this Asian species a landscaping favorite for decades. But behind its stunning fall display lies a growing concern.
Burning bush—also known as winged euonymus (Euonymus alatus)—is now recognized as an invasive plant in Indiana. Once celebrated for dependable color and easy care, it frequently spreads from yards into nearby natural areas, where it competes with the native plants that belong there.
Identifying Burning Bush
Burning bush is a deciduous shrub that can reach 15 to 20 feet in height. Its most distinctive feature is the corky ridges, or “wings,” running along its branches—hence the name winged euonymus. The leaves grow opposite each other, are oval-shaped with finely toothed edges, and turn a vivid crimson in fall. The shrub may also produce small red fruits containing seeds.
Homeowners should note an important distinction: eastern wahoo (Euonymus atropurpureus), a native Indiana shrub, is also part of the euonymus family but lacks the prominent corky wings found on burning bush.
From Asia to Indiana Woodlands
Native to China, Japan, and Korea, burning bush was introduced to the United States as an ornamental plant in the 1860s. Its striking appearance made it a popular landscape choice for many years.
By the 1960s and 1970s, however, the plant began escaping residential landscapes and establishing itself in natural areas. Birds eat its fruits and spread the seeds, allowing the shrub to colonize new locations. Burning bush tolerates heavy shade and grows well beneath forest canopies. As it spreads, it forms dense thickets that crowd out native plants and reduce the diversity of forest understories.
For Indiana’s woodlands, that means fewer wildflowers, shrubs, and other native plants—and fewer resources for the wildlife that depends on them. Purdue University identifies burning bush as invasive and recommends removing it and planting native alternatives.
Native Alternatives
Fortunately, Posey County gardeners have plenty of beautiful native options that offer fall color, berries, and wildlife habitat—without harming natural ecosystems. The Indiana Native Plant and Wildflower Society recommends:
• Blackhaw viburnum: spring flowers, fruit, and strong seasonal interest
• Highbush blueberry: spring blooms, edible berries, and brilliant fall foliage
• Red chokeberry: attractive berries and excellent fall color
• Winterberry: bright red berries that persist into winter
Other native shrubs—such as eastern wahoo, spicebush, serviceberry, and red-twig dogwood—also provide flowers, berries, and habitat while supporting local ecosystems.
Removing Burning Bush
Removing burning bush can be effective, but simply cutting the shrub to the ground isn’t enough. Small seedlings can be pulled by hand when soil is moist, making sure to remove the entire root system. Larger shrubs should be cut close to the ground and immediately treated with an appropriate herbicide to prevent resprouting—an approach recommended by Purdue University. Herbicides must be used carefully and exactly as directed, especially near desirable trees and plants.
After removal, homeowners should monitor the area for new seedlings and pull them promptly.
A Small Change With Big Impact
For homeowners, removing burning bush may seem like a minor landscaping decision. But across Posey County and southern Indiana, each choice adds up. Replacing burning bush with native species can be just as beautiful—and it helps birds, pollinators, and other wildlife thrive in the landscapes that truly belong here.
