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JENNY'S GARDEN
(Brook Euonymus, Bursting Heart, Hearts a 'Burstin or Strawberry Bush)
Synonym: Euonymus americana
Origin: Native to Eastern North America (West to Oklahoma and east Texas)
Family: Celastraceae
Light: Light-full shade
Height: 2-6'
Spread: 15-24"
Height: 2-6'
Spread: 15-24"
Blooms: Tiny, light yellow, chartreuse, one-third inch across, 5 greenish-yellow petals, mid-Spring
Foliage: Deciduous, blue-green, 2-3" long, finely-toothed margin, opposite, thin, on thin 4-angled green twigs
Fruit: Warty, hot pink capsule, burst open when ripe, revealing orange seeds, medicinal uses
Soil: Well-drained, humus-rich, moist, acidic, drought tolerant when established
Water: Low
Propagation: Seeds, semi-hardwood cuttings (In Summer), suckers or root clump divisions (In Winter)
Uses: Herb, butterfly garden, hummingbird garden,woodland setting, shade garden, Fall and Winter interest, container, understory , wildlife planting, informal hedge, mass plant
Caution: Fruits poisonous - do not eat
Comments: Euonymus americanus or Brook Euonymus or Bursting Heart or Hearts a 'Burstin or Strawberry Bush or Euonymus americana
is a perennial herbal shrub plant with an open-air, thinly-branched, spreading, sprawling,clumping growth habit. It is introduced from Europe. In mid-Spring Strawberry Bush bears interesting small, light yellow blossoms, followed later by exquisite bright red strawberry-like warty capsules, hence the common name. When ripe, the fruits burst open revealing four or five bright orange seeds. Eunonymus americana has thin, narrow green leaves that turn a beautiful orange and red in the Fall. Strawberry Bush is easily propagated from seeds which require 3 months of cold treatment or semi-hardwood cuttings taken in Summer or rootball divisions taken in Winter. It performs best in well-drained, humus-rich, moist, acidic soil in a light to full shade location. Hearts a 'Burstin tolerates drought conditions when established. It forms loose open clumps and the suckers forms thickets in moist areas. Bursting Heart is excellent for xeriscaping. Mass plant for an eye-catching informal hedge or in the shade garden in a gorgeous woodland setting. Make sure the plants are easily spotted for an exquisite Fall display. Euonymus americana provides a delightful sight in Winter when the fruits are left hanging on the bare twigs. The fruits have several medicinal uses and are poisonous and cannot be consumed. The bark induces vomiting while the seeds has laxative properties.
Strawberry Bush is can also be container grown for the patio. It is ideal for understory planting. In its native habitat, it is found growing under taller trees in moist, partly shaded woods. White-tailed deers enjoy feasting on the leaves and twigs. Bursting Heart is a showy plant that definitely deserves a place in the garden.
USDA Hardiness Zones : 5-10
JennysGarden.com...Plant images and gardening descriptions of perennial herbal plant, Euonymus americanus (Brook Euonymus, Bursting Heart, Hearts a 'Burstin, Strawberry bush, Euonymus americana) growing in Jenny's Garden
