Dwarf Burning Bush
(Euonymus alatus compactus)
Euonymus or Spindle tree is a genus of approximately 175 species
of deciduous, semi-evergreen and evergreen shrubs, trees and climbers
found growing mainly in Asia. The Euonymus alatus is called Burning
bush or Winged spindle tree for the broad, corky wings that adorn
its branches.
The Dwarf burning bush (Euonymus alatus compactus) lacks this ‘feature’
and is therefore better suited for bonsai. In addition, its branching
is finer and its leaves are smaller.
Burning bush is a popular garden plant because if its intense red
foliage colour in fall. While Japanese maples will produce good
fall colour even when grown in a good deal of shade, Burning bush
needs full sun exposure for best results. I find this plant likes
a good supply of moisture during spring and summer, and I therefore
grow mine in fairly deep pots.
I started growing Burning bush as bonsai in 1992, and since then
have had only one recurring problem: branch dieback just as the
new growth begins to elongate in spring. However, this dieback usually
does not affect the whole branch, but only the fresh elongation.
Another drawback in bonsai culture is the plant’s habit of
producing only one shoot elongation per growing season. When a branch
is pruned, the new buds produced in the leaf axils will not open
until the next spring, making the development of ramification a
slow process.
Among its strong points, other than fall colour, are:
- Hardiness in zones 4 to 9 (average minimum temperature from
–34C to –1C)
- Beautiful bark even in young plants
- Adaptability to life in a container
- Buds back well on old wood
- Naturally small leaves that reduce even more in bonsai culture
- Bright orange ‘berries’ in fall and winter
Branches have to be wired very carefully, because the fat buds
are only attached very loosely and can easily be knocked off.
All in all, I think Dwarf burning bush makes a very good subject
for bonsai and deserves to be grown more frequently. I hope the
following pictorial will prove the point.
The plant was bought at a local garden centre in the summer of 1992.
This picture shows it in February 1993 after initial pruning and
wiring.
June 1993
In the spring of 1994, the tree was transferred to a bonsai pot.
July 1995
The tree in fall colour, October 1995
Early November 1995 after leaf drop. Once the leaves turn colour,
they do not remain on the tree for very long.
The tree suffered a set-back in the winter of 1996/97 when the
apex died back as a result of a fungus attack. It came about because
I wintered the tree in my cold frame rather than outside.
In October 1998, the top is still flat.
By October of 2000, the tree has regained its former shape.
The tree is now 55 cm tall with a trunk measuring 7 cm at the base.
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Typical bud formation at the branch ends. I usually remove the
centre bud, unless I need the branch to elongate more.
Wilting of new growth shortly after bud break in spring. More a
nuisance than a problem.
Comparing leaf size from a plant growing in the garden to that
of a leaf from this bonsai.
Bark detail
In winter, the fruit contrasts well with the snow.
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