How tall is burning bush

Growth rates vary depending on environmental conditions, but in general, you can expect your dwarf burning bush to grow between 1 and 2 feet per year until it reaches maximum size. Plants grow best when conditions are right, and climate is the most important factor for growth.

The dwarf burning bush grows best in U. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 4 through 9. Once established, burning bush shrubs are drought-tolerant. For the first few months after planting, water more often. Then, you can reduce it to about the equivalent of one inch of rainfall per week.

Feed your burning bush shrub in early spring with a slow-release fertilizer specially designed for trees and shrubs. Doing this will prime your shrub for excellent growth during spring.

You should prune your burning bush shrub in late winter or early spring, either to maintain its shape or to boost new growth. Always be sure to remove any dead, damaged, or diseased wood close to the main branch to encourage the emergence of a healthy bud. Burning bush is considered invasive in certain areas because it can threaten existing plants and biodiversity. The bush is dominant and seeds prolifically, which means it can force out other plants, especially herbaceous and native woody plant species.

Some nurseries have discontinued selling them for this reason, while those that do sell them must state that the plants are invasive. They almost look as if they were on fire. Burning bush can be planted in part shade to full sun, but typically turns a deeper red in sunny locations and more of a pink color in shady locations.

This plant does not tolerate extreme drought or overly wet soils, so be careful of watering and be sure to not plant it where water will pool often or where the soil is very well drained. It is best used as a hedge or a focal point of a landscape.

One other important thing to remember when planting burning bush is that it is highly susceptible to scale. Scale is a type of insect that looks like white flecks on the branches and leaves of the plant. Burning bush spreads by seeds deposited over a wide area by birds that eat the small red berries in autumn. It also spreads through the root system by sending up suckers, which eventually form thickets. These dense thickets out-compete native plants and form a monoculture, like bush honeysuckle.

Some eastern states have banned the importation of burning bush plants. It grows in sun or shade and is very adaptable. This is another very adaptable shrub that thrives in either sun or light shade, wet to dry soil. The fall color of this native is bright to delicate pink, with neon pink berries that will stop traffic. Martha Caywood uses the abundant, berry-covered branches of her winterberry shrubs, Ilex verticillati, for autumn decorating.

The bright red berries and green leaves of this native holly form an informal hedge along one side of her garden. Photo by Susan Jonas. Garden Club member Martha Caywood has a border of these in her garden that is thick with bright red berries.