DescriptionThe Dwarf Winged Burning Bush is a cultivar of Burning Bush, with the formal name Euonymus alatus 'Compactus'. It is a deciduous shrub that, as its name implies, is a relatively more compact version of Burning Bush. Unlike Burning Bush, which can reach heights of 20 feet, the 'Compactus' cultivar is a more manageable 10 feet tall; however, it is important to verify that the 'Compactus' part of the plant name is present to obtain the smaller version of Euonymous alata. Note that there is an even more compact cultivar is E. alatus 'Rudy Haag’ that is limited to a height of 3 to 5 feet. All versions of Burning Bush can be kept shorter by pruning and can easily be transplanted. Dwarf Winged Burning Bush is easy to grow in average, medium moisture, well-drained soil in full sun to part shade. It will tolerate shade and drought, but the less sun available to the plant, the less dramatic fall color will be. The plant does not do well in wet, poorly-drained sites, but it does prefer consistent moisture. It tolerates a variety of soils. Like its larger species, the 'Compactus' cultivar's densely packed leaves offer bright red color in the fall, a rounded form, and small, inconspicuous flowers that bloom in late spring. These flowers develop into reddish-purple, 3/8 inch oval berries in the fall. Because ingesting large quantities of this plant are poisonous, no part of this plant, including the fruits, should be eaten, especially by children. Also, this shrub can be invasive if planted in less well tended native or similar gardens where it can spread into surrounding roadside or woodland areas. This is more likely in western North Carolina.
