Euonymus americanus (American Strawberry Bush)

One of the most ornamentally distinctive native shrubs for fall interest, American strawberry bush's warty pink-red seed capsules bursting open to reveal orange seeds are a genuine showstopper - and it's a confirmed juglone-tolerant species, making it a strong understory choice near black walnut.

Species Overview

Euonymus americanus, commonly known as American Strawberry Bush or Hearts-a-Bustin', is a low-maintenance, deciduous, suckering shrub native to the eastern United States. Its common name derives from the showy, warty capsules that split open in fall to reveal bright orange-red seeds. Spring flowers are small and inconspicuous, but the fall display of fruit and foliage is genuinely striking.

Application

• Woodland understory and streambank restoration
• Shade garden and naturalized plantings prioritizing fall fruit display
• Sites near black walnut, given confirmed juglone tolerance
• Wildlife habitat - seeds are eaten by songbirds, wild turkeys, and small mammals

Growing Conditions / Specification Data

• Light: Part Shade to Full Shade - tolerates deep shade but produces more fruit in light shade
• Soil/Moisture Tolerance: Wide variety of soils, including clay; tolerates both drought and wet soils to a degree
• Drought Tolerance: Moderate
• Flood Tolerance: Moderate - An understory shrub found in moist bottomland woods as well as drier upland sites; tolerates periodically wet soil.
• Growth Rate: Moderate
• Plant Type: Shrub
• Mature Height: 4-8 ft.
• Fall Color: Red
• Bloom Color / Period: Green; May-June
• Wetland Indicator Status: FAC (Facultative)
• Native Range: New York south to Florida, west through Pennsylvania to Illinois, Missouri, Oklahoma, and eastern Texas
• Pollinator Value: Supports bees - small greenish flowers are visited by small native bees and flies for nectar and pollen.
• Hydrology: Mesic-Moist
• Root Depth: Moderate (12-24 in.)
• Salinity Tolerance: Low
• Shade Tolerance: Tolerant
• Growth Habit: Upright, Multi-stemmed
• USDA Hardiness Zones: 6-9
• Deer Resistance: No (Frequently Damaged)
• Juglone Tolerance: Tolerant

Planting Guidance

• Suckers from the roots to form thickets in favorable, moist locations - site with room to naturalize, or plan to manage spread.