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Overview
Euonymus alatus 'Compactus' is dwarf winged euonymus (compact burning bush), a dense spreading deciduous shrub growing 6-8 feet (1.8-2.4 m) tall and 6-8 feet (1.8-2.4 m) wide. Bright green elliptical leaves 1-3 inches (2.5-7 cm). Turns scarlet to magenta-red in fall. Greenish-yellow tiny inconspicuous flowers in May-June. Small red-purple capsules split in fall to reveal orange-red arils. Stems have corky wing-like ridges (reduced on 'Compactus'). In Celastraceae. Native to China, Japan, Korea. Classified as invasive in 21+ US states across the eastern and midwestern United States — banned from sale in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and other states. Birds disperse the seeds into forests and woodland edges where it forms dense thickets displacing native understory plants. This invasive status is the primary limitation. Native alternatives with similar fall color include Aronia arbutifolia 'Brilliantissima', Itea virginica 'Henry's Garnet', and Fothergilla gardenii. Fall color is less vivid in full shade. Toxic — all parts contain cardiac glycosides. Deer-resistant. Drought-tolerant. Zones 3-8. Full sun to full shade. Growth rate is slow.
Native Range
Native to northeastern Asia — China, Japan, Korea. Classified as invasive in 21+ US states.Suggested Uses
Classified as invasive in many US states — check local regulations before planting. Where legal, grown as a foundation planting, formal hedge, and mass planting spaced 6-8 feet (1.8-2.4 m). Consider native alternatives: Aronia arbutifolia, Itea virginica, Fothergilla gardenii. Toxic. Deer-resistant. Zones 3-8.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height6' - 8'
Width/Spread6' - 8'
Reaches mature size in approximately 10 years
Bloom Information
Late spring (May-June). Greenish-yellow tiny 4-petaled flowers 0.2 inch (5 mm) in small axillary clusters — hidden by foliage. 3 weeks of bloom. Bee-pollinated. Red-purple capsules with orange-red arils follow in fall.Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
Greenish-yellow, tiny, 0.2 inch (5 mm), 4-petaled, in small axillary clusters — largely hidden by foliageFoliage Description
Bright green, elliptical, 1-3 inches (2.5-7 cm) long with finely serrated margins; turns scarlet to magenta-red in fallGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 1-8 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Full sun to full shade (1-8 hours — full sun for vivid fall color). Any well-drained soil pH 6.0-7.5 — tolerates clay, chalk, and poor soil. Drought-tolerant once established. Classified as invasive in 21+ US states — check local regulations. Consider native alternatives. Toxic (cardiac glycosides). Deer-resistant. Zones 3-8.Pruning
Prune in late winter (February-March). Tolerates heavy shearing for formal hedges. The dense rounded form is natural. Remove seedlings that appear near the parent plant to limit invasive spread.Pruning Schedule
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early spring