Euonymus americanus
strawberry bush
Eastern and southeastern North America
Attracts Pollinators
Native to North America
Overview
Euonymus americanus is a deciduous shrub native to the southeastern and eastern United States, growing in moist woodlands and along streams in the shade of larger trees. It forms an open, loosely branched shrub 4-6 feet (1.2-1.8 m) tall, with slender green twigs that stay green through winter and arch outward. The opposite leaves are 1.5-3.5 inches (4-9 cm) long, lance-shaped, and bright green, turning red to maroon in autumn. Small greenish-purple flowers about 0.4 inch (1 cm) wide open singly or in small clusters in late spring, easily overlooked among the foliage. The flowers form warty, rounded capsules that ripen to crimson and split open in autumn to reveal bright orange-red seeds dangling within, the bursting fruit behind the names strawberry bush and hearts-a-bustin. Birds eat the seeds, and deer browse the foliage and twigs heavily, often limiting the plant in the wild. It grows in part to full shade on moist, well-drained, humus-rich soil and suckers slowly to form open thickets. The seeds and other parts contain compounds that are toxic if eaten. Dense shade reduces fruiting, while too much sun and dry soil stress the plant.
Native Range
Native to the eastern and southeastern United States, from New York and Illinois south to Florida and Texas. It grows in moist hardwood forests, stream banks, ravines, and shaded slopes, usually in rich, damp soil.Suggested Uses
Used in shade and woodland gardens, native plant borders, and naturalized plantings along streams and in damp shade. It suits the understory beneath taller trees, with autumn fruit and red foliage appearing against the shade.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height4' - 6'
Width/Spread3' - 5'
Reaches mature size in approximately 5 years
Bloom Information
Small greenish-purple flowers open in May and June, singly or in few-flowered clusters along the stems. Each flower is about 0.4 inch (1 cm) across with five spreading petals. The fruit develops through summer and splits open in September and October.
Detailed Descriptions
Foliage Description
Green, red in autumnGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 2-5 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