Discover the Unique Strawberry Bush: A Native Shrub with Showy Red Fruits
The Strawberry Bush (Euonymus americanus), also known as Hearts-a-bustin’, is a distinctive native deciduous shrub found in moist forests of the eastern United States. Its green stems and showy bright red, warty fruit capsules, which split open to reveal orange-red seeds in the fall, make it a captivating addition to shady gardens. While the small flowers are not particularly noticeable, the unique fruit, resembling a warty strawberry, gives the shrub its whimsical names. Attracting birds and other wildlife with its colorful display, this shrub offers fall foliage in shades of yellow, orange, or red. Thriving in part shade and requiring moist, well-drained soil, it is a striking choice for specimen planting, foundation plantings, or massing in naturalized areas.
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1 Gallon
$4.00
3 Gallon
$8.00
A Strawberry Bush displays its unique bright red, warty fruit capsules, showcasing the “hearts-a-bustin'” appearance that gives it one of its common names.
Scientific Name: Euonymus americanus
Common Name: Strawberry Bush, American Strawberry-bush, Brook Euonymus, Hearts-a-burstin, Bursting Heart, Wahoo
Hardiness Zones: 6 through 9
Height: 4 to 8 feet
Spread: 2 to 8 feet (can be spreading)
Growth Rate: Moderate
Foliage: Spring & Summer: Bright green, oval to lanceolate leaves, 2 to 4 inches long with serrated margins, arranged oppositely or suboppositely on the stems. Fall: Turns showy shades of red before dropping.
Bark: Distinctive green stems that become purplish when exposed to sunlight, adding winter interest.
Sun: Part shade is ideal; does not thrive in very sunny, dry, exposed locations.
Soil: Tolerates different types of well-drained soils, preferring moist conditions. Water and mulch in hot, dry environments.
Wildlife Value: The colorful fruit attracts birds and small mammals. Deer and rabbits are also known to browse on the foliage.
Why Choose Strawberry Bush?
Showy and Unique Fall Fruits:
The Strawberry Bush is primarily valued for its eye-catching bright pinkish-red fruit capsules that appear in early autumn. These warty, strawberry-like capsules split open to reveal vibrant orange-red seeds, creating a truly distinctive and ornamental display in the fall garden.
Green Winter Stems and Colorful Fall Foliage:
Beyond its striking fruit, this shrub offers year-round interest with its unique green stems that persist through the winter and can take on a purplish hue in sunlight. In the fall, the foliage turns attractive shades of yellow, orange, or red before leaf drop.
Shade-Loving Native Shrub:
The Strawberry Bush is a Florida native that thrives in partly shaded environments, making it an excellent choice for gardeners with shaded yards where many other flowering shrubs might struggle. It prefers moist conditions, mimicking its natural habitat in moist forests.
Attracts Birds and Wildlife:
The colorful fruits of the Strawberry Bush are very attractive to birds and small mammals, providing a valuable food source in the fall and winter. The foliage also attracts deer and rabbits, making it a great addition to landscapes aimed at supporting a variety of wildlife.
Environmental Benefits of Planting Strawberry Bush
This data is based on US Averages of healthy and mature trees over a 20-year period.
Check out the USDA’s MyTree Tool to input your custom location data.
CO2 Offset
A single strawberry bush can offset the CO₂ emissions produced by driving an average gas-powered car for 5,373 miles.
Water Filtration
A single strawberry bush can absorb enough stormwater to fill 201 bathtubs, reducing erosion, runoff, and supporting transpiration.
Removes Air Pollution
A single strawberry bush removes as much air pollution as the weight of 21 smartphones.
Featured Projects
Central Florida Lands and Timber Nursery, LLC. is a wholesale nursery specializing in a wide array of Florida native trees. With an inventory of over 2 million container-grown trees, CFLTN, LCC can meet the needs of large-scale reforestation, mitigation, and landscaping projects throughout the Southeast region.
Phone
(386) 294-1211
Address
3087 North County Road 53 Mayo, Florida 32066