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Native alternative(s) for Euonymus alatus 'Compactus':
Euonymus americanus Form - Nov.  - Wake Co., NC
Itea virginica Itea virginica
Vaccinium corymbosum Leaves
Plants that fill a similar niche:
Aesculus flava Tree in full bloom
Ampelopsis brevipedunculata Ampelopsis brevipedunculata
Euonymus europaeus Form
Euonymus alatus 'Compactus' has some common insect problems:
Twospotted Spider Mites on Landscape Plants

Euonymus alatus 'Compactus'

Phonetic Spelling
Euonymus alatus 'Compactus'
This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
See below
Description

'Compactus' is a dwarf cultivar of winged burning in the Celastraceae family.  It is a deciduous shrub that, as its name implies, is a relatively more compact version. Unlike Burning Bush, which can reach heights of 20 feet, the 'Compactus' cultivar is a more manageable 10 feet tall. Note that there is an even more compact cultivar is E. alatus 'Rudy Haag’ that is limited to a height of 3 to 5 feet. All versions of the burning bush can be kept shorter by pruning and can easily be transplanted. Be aware the parent plant has become invasive in some areas of the east and midwest.

'Compactus'  is easy to grow in average, medium moisture, well-drained soil in full sun to part shade. It will tolerate shade and drought, but the less sun available to the plant, the less dramatic fall color will be. The plant does not do well in wet, poorly-drained sites, but it does prefer consistent moisture. It tolerates a variety of soils. Like its larger species, the 'Compactus' cultivar's densely packed leaves offer bright red color in the fall, a rounded form, and small, inconspicuous flowers that bloom in late spring. These flowers develop into reddish-purple, 3/8 inch oval berries in the fall.

Because ingesting large quantities of this plant are poisonous, no part of this plant, including the fruits, should be eaten, especially by children. Also, this shrub can be aggressive an invasive if planted in less well tended native or similar gardens where it can spread into surrounding roadside or woodland areas. This is more likely in western North Carolina. 

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Twig blight can occur in wet soil conditions and spider mites can be a problem.  The Clemson Cooperative Extension Home & Garden Information Center has a factsheet on common pests and diseases.

More information on Euonymus alatus.

See this plant in the following landscapes:
Mountain Ridge Top Garden - North Lawn and Upper Drive Border Mountain Ridge Top Garden - West Meadow and Woods Mountain Ridge Top Garden - East Lawn and Lower Drive Border
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#deciduous#poisonous#full sun tolerant#shrub#fall interest#high maintenance#fast growing#acidic soils tolerant#bird friendly#partial shade tolerant#problem for children#pruning tolerant#wet soils intolerant#fall color#weed
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#deciduous#poisonous#full sun tolerant#shrub#fall interest#high maintenance#fast growing#acidic soils tolerant#bird friendly#partial shade tolerant#problem for children#pruning tolerant#wet soils intolerant#fall color#weed
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Euonymus
    Species:
    alatus
    Family:
    Celastraceae
    Life Cycle:
    Woody
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Seed
    Stem Cutting
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Eastern Russia, Japan, China, Korea
    Distribution:
    Throughout the eastern and central United States.
    Wildlife Value:
    Fruit attracts birds who eat the seeds and distribute them. The fall berries are eaten by birds, and the seeds are easily spread by birds. It is attractive to deer. This plant is frequently damaged by deer. Host plant to many types of beetle.
    Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
    range of soil types; drought tolerant
    Edibility:
    Can be toxic if ingested.
    Dimensions:
    Height: 8 ft. 0 in. - 11 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 8 ft. 0 in. - 14 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Poisonous
    Shrub
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Habit/Form:
    Dense
    Multi-stemmed
    Rounded
    Spreading
    Growth Rate:
    Rapid
    Maintenance:
    High
    Texture:
    Medium
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    Clay
    High Organic Matter
    Loam (Silt)
    Sand
    Soil pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Alkaline (>8.0)
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    Occasionally Dry
    Available Space To Plant:
    6-feet-12 feet
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Cream/Tan
    Gold/Yellow
    Orange
    Pink
    Red/Burgundy
    Fruit Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Fall
    Fruit Type:
    Capsule
    Fruit Length:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Width:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Description:
    1/3 inch capsules split open when ripe to reveal tiny seeds (each encased in a fleshy orange-red aril).
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Green
    Red/Burgundy
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Cyme
    Insignificant
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Spring
    Flower Petals:
    4-5 petals/rays
    Flower Size:
    < 1 inch
    Flower Description:
    This plant has non-showy, small 4-petaled greenish-maroon flowers. A 3-flowered cyme, axillary. Inconspicuous, small, 3/8 inch, 4 petals, yellow-green.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Red/Burgundy
    Leaf Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
    Red/Burgundy
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Opposite
    Leaf Shape:
    Elliptical
    Obovate
    Leaf Margin:
    Crenulate
    Serrate
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Width:
    < 1 inch
    Leaf Description:
    Elliptic to obovate, crenulate to serrulate, opposite to sub-opposite, simple leaves that are 1 to 3 inches long and 1/2 to 1 inch wide, and medium to dark green. They can be finely serrated. Leaves provide excellent red fall color.
  • Bark:
    Bark Color:
    Dark Brown
    Dark Gray
    Surface/Attachment:
    Furrowed
    Bark Description:
    The bark of large old stems is gray or brownish gray and slightly furrowed.
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Brown/Copper
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Cross Section:
    Round
    Stem Form:
    Zig Zags
    Stem Surface:
    Smooth (glabrous)
    Stem Description:
    Stems have corky ridges (or wings, as used in the common name) that are more noticeable in winter after leaf drop.
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Theme:
    Asian Garden
    Design Feature:
    Accent
    Border
    Foundation Planting
    Attracts:
    Bees
    Songbirds
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Black Walnut
    Compaction
    Drought
    Erosion
    Problems:
    Poisonous to Humans
    Problem for Children
    Weedy
  • Poisonous to Humans:
    Poison Severity:
    Low
    Poison Symptoms:
    Poisonous through ingestion. Symptoms: abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, convulsions, weakness, chills, coma. TOXIC ONLY IF LARGE QUANTITIES EATEN. Ingesting large amounts of any part of the plant can result in poisoning. CHILDREN may be attracted to fruits in fall. No part of this plant is edible, including seeds.
    Poison Toxic Principle:
    Unidentified, possibly a glycoside
    Causes Contact Dermatitis:
    No
    Poison Part:
    Fruits
    Leaves
    Sap/Juice
    Seeds
    Stems