Summary
The bright pink fruits and vibrant orange seeds of bursting-heart (Euonymus americanus) provide outstanding fall interest in the woodland garden. This thinly-branched, deciduous shrub grows 4-8′ tall and is stoloniferous; stems can root where they touch the ground. Bursting-heart has green stems and 2”-3” long, opposite, medium green, lanceolate leaves with a finely serrated edge. Flowers are small, 5-petaled, and greenish yellow. They are arranged singly or in threes, bloom in May-June, and mature into a showy, reddish-pink, ¾” wide warty capsule in September-October. The capsule bursts open when mature, revealing 4-5 orange seeds, hence the common name. Autumn foliage color ranges from green to pale yellow with occasional tinges of red.
This shrub prefers a moist, well-drained, humus-rich soil in dappled shade. It can tolerate close to full shade, and is adaptable to clay soils. Bursting-heart will naturalize in optimal conditions. This plant is a pollen and nectar source for bees, flies, ants, and beetles. The leaves host native caterpillars and the seeds are occasionally eaten by birds. Deer find the foliage palatable. Bursting-heart is ideal in a woodland garden underplanted with Jacob’s ladder (Polemonium reptans), golden ragwort (Packera aurea), or three-leaf stonecrop (Sedum ternatum). Zones 6-9.
More Details
- Plant Type
shrub - Sun/Shade Conditions
part-shade - Foliage Character
deciduous - Soil Moisture
moist, well-drained - Flowering Period
late-spring - Soil PH
adaptable, slightly-acidic - Flower Color
greenish-yellow - Summer Foliage Color
green - Fall Foliage Color
green, pale-yellow, yellow-orange - Other Common Names
American strawberry bush, Strawberry Bush, Hearts-a-burstin, Bursting Heart - Fruit/Seed Color
hot-pink-to-red
Additional Information
Missouri Botanical Garden, Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, North Carolina Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox