If you are planning to fill your garden with vibrant bushes and are considering burning bushes as an option, hold the idea. Before you go ahead with burning bush shrubs, it's important to gather information about it and know "why are burning bushes illegal" in some places. You should also know if it's good to opt for burning bushes. Though it is one of the amazing ornamental plants, it is a prohibited species due to its invasive nature. It is not completely banned in all the states, yet homeowners don't prefer these shrubs for their yards or gardens. The reasons are discussed later in this article. We have discussed the features of the burning bush, substitutes for them, and information related to burning bushes in this article, which can help you understand the shrub better.
Features of Burning Bushes (Winged Euonymus)
Here are the features of the burning bushes which will help you know all about the shrub:
- It is an invasive species and can still grow up to 20 feet tall, with a single plant often reaching over 15 feet.
- Winged euonymus, or euonymus alatus, is native to northeastern Asia and was imported to the U.S. in the 1860s.
- It is a deciduous shrub with dark green leaves along the stem that turn into bright red fall foliage or red fall foliage in autumn, and it gives small, round, and red-purple fruits during the summer.
- It can be identified by corky wings along the stems and branches, with green bark on young growth.
- It is easy to grow these plants.
- It needs minimal maintenance.
- It can grow in many conditions, but the best color develops in full sun.
- It keeps deer away from the yard due to woody and abrasive stems.
In many states, there is a ban on the import of burning bushes due to their invasive feature. The Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources notes that burning bush banned rules apply in the state as of 2025. Some states in the US have also banned the propagation of the plant. New Hampshire, New York, and Massachusetts also ban or restrict this invasive shrub. Whereas other states motivate homeowners to remove the shrub or control the spread in the case of the existing plant. The reason is it competes with other native vegetation for food and nutrients.
There are different opinions amongst the homeowners on the invasive character of the plant. Some opine that it is not invasive merely because they did not notice any problem in their yard. Whereas, others say that there's a problem in their garden. This shrub produces berries, and birds eat the fruits and spread seeds into natural areas such as woods, woodlands, and forests, where invasive burning bush can form dense thickets.
Depending on the place where berries were disposed of, bushes start spreading and outcompete other plants in the surrounding area. Fast-spreading burning bushes do not even allow future oak and pine saplings to survive. Another reason is that many scientists have proved that these berries are not a good source of fat and energy for birds.
Here are the features of the burning bushes which will help you know all about the shrub:
- It is a shrub that grows up to 20 feet tall.
- It's a native to Eastern Asia.
- Leaves are green along the stem which turn into red-purple in the fall. It gives small, round, and red-purple fruits during the summer.
- It has winged stems.
- It is easy to grow these plants.
- It needs minimal maintenance.
- It can grow in any soil type and under any weather and light solutions.
- It keeps deer away from the yard due to woody and abrasive stems.
Are Burning Bushes Illegal?
In many states, there is a ban on the import of burning bushes due to their invasive feature. The Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources notes that burning bush banned rules apply in the state as of 2025. Some states in the US have also banned the propagation of the plant. New Hampshire, New York, and Massachusetts also ban or restrict this invasive shrub. Whereas other states motivate homeowners to remove the shrub or control the spread in the case of the existing plant. The reason is it competes with other native vegetation for food and nutrients.
There are different opinions amongst the homeowners on the invasive character of the plant. Some opine that it is not invasive merely because they did not notice any problem in their yard. Whereas, others say that there's a problem in their garden. This shrub produces berries, and birds eat the fruits and spread seeds into natural areas such as woods, woodlands, and forests, where invasive burning bush can form dense thickets.
Depending on the place where berries were disposed of, bushes start spreading and outcompete other plants in the surrounding area. Fast-spreading burning bushes do not even allow future oak and pine saplings to survive. Another reason is that many scientists have proved that these berries are not a good source of fat and energy for birds.
Which is the Best Way to Use Burning Bushes?
Some invasive plants may still be legal to grow in some states while restricted in others, and the plant burning bush falls into that category. In some parts of the US, it's not banned. It is known to disturb local ecosystems as an invasive species, potentially reducing biodiversity and competing with native species and wildlife.
If burning bush is legal where you live, consider its location carefully. Avoid planting it close to wooded areas, natural habitats, or places where seeds can easily spread. Regularly checking the surrounding area for seedlings can also help identify unwanted growth early.
Managing invasive plants can require significant resources, which is one reason regulators and conservation organizations discourage the spread of invasive non-native plants. If you are designing a landscape around existing trees, choosing plants appropriate for the growing conditions is also important, especially when considering landscaping under pine trees.
| Notes | Burning bushes are unsafe for humans, cats, dogs, and horses when ingested. |
Native Alternatives as Substitutes for Burning Bushes
Burning bushes are undoubtedly one of the popular ornamental plants owing to their amazing appearance and stunning flowers, leaves, and seeds. However, due to its fast-spreading feature and dominance over other nearby plants, it is advised to choose native alternatives to burning bush. There are many native alternatives that work as practical alternatives for the same landscape role. A native shrub can provide attractive fall color while also supporting other wildlife. Here is the list of the plants that can prove to be a substitute for burning bushes:
- Ninebark
- Highbush (hedge plants that grow up to 12 feet in height and width)
- Blueberry
- Red chokeberry
- Redvein dianthus( it grows up to 6 feet in width and 8 feet in height)
- Virginia sweet spire
- Dwarf and standard fothergilla (white flowers in spring and red fall colors)
- Fragrant sumac
- Virginia sweetspire
- Winterberry
- oakleaf hydrangea (Hydrangea quercifolia), a native alternative with striking fall foliage
- black chokeberry, noted for fall color and bird value
When selecting replacement plants, consider how they will work with the rest of your yard. Native shrubs can be combined with thoughtful backyard organization to create functional planting areas while maintaining an attractive landscape.
How to Control Burning Bush as an Invasive Species?
There are different ways to control invasive burning bush once it spreads beyond the yard. The first option is to pull out seedlings, sprouts, and small branches manually, but it may become difficult when an infestation is well established.
Another option is to remove the entire bush by digging out the roots and properly disposing of the plant. Remaining roots may resprout, and mature infestations can require repeated management. When removing unwanted landscaping materials or clearing an area, homeowners should also understand how to dispose of landscape rock and other landscape waste responsibly.
The goal of removal is to prevent further spread and reduce competition with native plants. Monitoring the area after removal is important because new seedlings may appear from seeds that were already present in the surrounding soil.
Conclusion
Burning bushes are known to be an invasive plant, but due to their vibrant leaves, many homeowners prefer to grow them. However, the concern is that they are banned or restricted in some parts of the US. If you want to grow these shrubs, first check your local regulations and consider whether the planting location could allow seeds to spread.
Choosing native plants is another option for homeowners who want attractive foliage without introducing a potentially invasive shrub. Gardeners can also consider other ornamental options, such as a purple lily, when planning colorful planting areas.
For additional inspiration when choosing plants for your landscape, resources covering top invasive ground cover with purple flowers and mexican hat flower planting care and growing tips can provide ideas for incorporating different flowering plants into garden designs.
