Euonymus americanus

Common Names

Strawberry Bush, American Strawberry Bush, Bursting Heart, Hearts-A-Burstin’

Summary

Strawberry bush, Euonymus americanus, is a deciduous, multi-stemmed shrub native to the eastern United States. It typically grows 4–6 feet tall and 3–5 feet wide with a suckering habit; leaves are opposite, simple, 1–3 inches long, and turn red in fall. Greenish-yellow flowers appear in late spring, and showy red fruits are crimson capsules that split open in fall to reveal red-orange seeds, with autumn foliage often turning orange-red.

Prefers partial shade to some sun and moist, well-drained soils, tolerating a range of soils from sandy to clay; hardy in USDA zones 6a–9b; spreads by rhizomes and can naturalize in suitable settings. Propagation is by seed (seeds require cold stratification 1–3 months) or cuttings; deer may browse foliage; fruits are not edible and mildly toxic to humans; pests such as euonymus scale can affect plant. Common uses include woodland gardens, naturalized areas, hedges, borders, or as a specimen plant.

Lifecycle

Perennial

Height

4-6 feet

Spread

4-6 feet

Hardiness Zones

Zones 6-9

Sunlight Requirements

Ideally partial shade. Tolerates full sun.

Soil Type

Moist, well-drained, humus-rich loamy soil with slightly acidic to neutral pH

Soil Drainage

Moist but well-drained soil.

Soil pH

No specific soil pH; Euonymus americanus tolerates acidic, neutral, and alkaline soils.

Bloom Color

Insignificant

Bloom Time

Spring

Foliage Color

Green

Fall Foliage Color

Red to orange-red

Leaf Lifecycle

Deciduous

Growth Rate

Moderate growth rate.

Seasons of Interest

Spring, Summer, and Fall

Propagation Methods

Seeds, Cuttings, Division

Attracts Wildlife

Attracts birds; no evidence of attraction for bees, hummingbirds, butterflies, or other pollinators.