Euonymus americanus – Hearts a’Bustin Understated Native Shrub
Euonymus americanus or Strawberry Bush, aka Bursting-Heart, aka Hearts a Bustin and probably a few more akas is an understated native shrub that took me by surprise. I have this plant occurring naturally thorough my woods and I’ve left them there but I was indifferent to it. When I think shrub I think bushy and full or vase shaped and open, but the form of Euonymus americanus can not be pigeonholed into any shape category. It grows very open and thin, almost reedy. It certainly didn’t take up any room and will grow well right alongside or even through fuller, shorter shrubs.
I did notice in spring that the bees loved the flowers, this was good. Then fall came and the seeds set. Instantly I was impressed. There were lovely spots of red sprinkled throughout the woods, suddenly giving the forest a beautiful visual depth. Then the leaves started to change. Mine is a deeply shaded woodland garden so the Euonymus americanus leaves have turned a stunning translucent white with reds and oranges on a single shrub. I’m in love.
I have heard that wildlife eat the seeds but mine go ignored so I can not testify to that. Euonymus americanus is a no maintenance, pest free, delicate accent in the garden. It can take part sun or shade, is drought tolerant and provides color as the summer winds down. What more could you ask for out of a plant?
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Thanks for sharing info about this shrub. What part of the US are you in that it grows naturally? I have tried growing this here (bought from Tripple Brook) in central MA but it didn’t grow for me.
It is said not to germinate easily but it must like my acid soil. It’s all over the place in Georgia pine woods.