Burning Bush 'Compactus' (Euonymus alatus 'Compactus')
yew-ON-ih-mus ah-LAY-tus 'Compactus'

Name_Pronunciation u-ON-i-mus a-LA-ta kom-PAK-ta
Deciduous Perennial Shrub in the Celastraceae Family
 
Buy Burning Bush 'Compactus'
Size Notes Price Availability
#5 gallon Field

Overstock (9/23)

 $46.91 Likely available
1/24 - 4/4

What a beauty! This dwarf burning bush, celebrated for its vibrant fall foliage and compact form. With glossy green leaves transforming into stunning scarlet, crimson, and fuchsia hues, it offers year-round charm.

Euonymus alatus 'Compactus', the Dwarf Winged Burning Bush, is a smaller, denser selection of the species, reaching 8-11 feet tall and wide (still a substantial shrub despite the 'dwarf' name) rather than the species' full 15-20 feet. Its corky-winged stems and brilliant red fall foliage are identical to the straight species.

Like the species it's selected from, 'Compactus' is not seedless, and the NC Invasive Plant Council warns it can still spread into roadside or woodland areas when planted near natural habitat, especially in milder parts of its range.

Pros

  • Reliable, brilliant red fall color
  • Smaller, denser habit than the straight species
  • Tolerates drought, shade, and a wide range of soils

Cons

  • Not seedless; can still spread into natural areas
  • High maintenance rating
  • Twig blight possible in wet soil
Highlights A decades-old, widely planted dwarf selection of Burning Bush, grown for the same spectacular fall color in a somewhat more manageable size than the straight species.
 

Plant Data

Mature Size 6 - 11 feet tall. 6 - 14 feet wide.
Growth Rate Rapid
Sun Exposure Partial Shade - Full Sun
Moisture Tolerance Dry - Medium: Prefers moist soil, but does not like to be waterlogged.
Zones 4a - 8b (Usually hardy to -30° F)
Tags Attracts Bees, Attracts Beneficial Insects, Attracts Birds, Deciduous, Deer Resistant, Drought Tolerant, Dry, Fall Color, Fall interest, Formal Garden, Foundation, Full Sun, Good for Accents, Good for Beginners, Good for Cottage Garden, Good for Hedges, Insignificant Flowers, Medium, Most Popular, Native to Asia, Normal Soil, Partial Shade, Partial Sun, Perennial, Potentially Toxic, Shrub, Tolerant of Clay Soil, Tolerant of Moist Soil, Well-Drained Soil Bareroot Shrubs, Fall Color Shrubs, Hedges, Winter Interest Shrubs, Yellow Flowering Shrubs
Bloom Period May To June
Flower Color Inconspicuous, Yellow
Foliage Color Green
 

Most Popular Plants
 

More Info from Experts

Commonly Planted with...

Pairs well with Sedum, Daylilies, ornamental grasses, Asters, Coreopsis, and Coneflowers.
Want More photos of this plant? Try Google Image Search!
 


Pricing and Availability History

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Past Availability
2025 : 04/03 - 10/04
2024 : 05/01 - 10/05
2023 : 04/13 - 09/30

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Field-Grown vs. Greenhouse-Grown Plants

Plants which are well-adapted to our local climate are most often field-grown (outside). Field-grown plants are generally cheaper and have the advantage of already somewhat acclimated to our cold winters, but that means they’re not artificially far along in the spring and tend to bloom at the normal time in our area.

Spring annuals and tender perennials are typically grown in Greenhouses so they can be ready and luxurious exactly when customers want them. Some perennials are also “forced” into early bloom in greenhouses. In May, there can be a very big difference between field-grown and greenhouse-grown plants of the same type. The latter typically look good right away (so they’re a great choice where that’s important), but we typically pay a premium for it.


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No Pricing or Availability Right Now

We order from a rotating cast of the best nurseries in the Great Lakes region. It looks like we've offered this plant in the past, but the nurseries we're working with this week don't appear to have it in stock at the moment.

Our goal is to bring as many plants together under "one roof" as possible, so we'll try hard to make it available again in the future!