13 Burning Bush Alternatives With Beautiful Fall Color

Let’s talk about burning bush, also known as winged burning bush or winged euonymus. After its arrival from China in the late 1800s, this crimson-leaved shrub was a popular shrub in home and commercial landscaping for decades. This plant thrives in full sun or shade and tolerates a wide range of soil types. It is known for its interesting orange-red berries, bold red fall foliage, and adaptable growing habit… But perhaps it is a little too adaptable.

Now considered invasive in over 20 states, burning bush, botanically known as Euonymus alatus, is actually prohibited across parts of the northeast. Having escaped cultivation, it easily takes over roadsides, fields, and even undisturbed forests, forming a dense thicket that makes it impossible for native plants to compete. In addition to propagating vegetatively by root suckering, it produces huge amounts of reddish-purple berries, which are then further dispersed by hungry birds and wildlife. In short, it gets out of hand.

But wait, there’s good news, gardeners! With the right alternative species, you can have the hardiness and gorgeous fall color of a burning bush without the propensity to escape. Read on, and open your mind and garden to 13 burning bush alternatives. 

Black Chokeberry

	botanical name Aronia melanocarpa
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 3’-10’
	hardiness zones 3-8

Black chokeberry is a spreading, deciduous shrub native to moist woodlands and bogs across eastern North America. Black chokeberry is particularly valued for its resilience, as it can tolerate both drought and occasional flooding.

The shrub produces clusters of small, white flowers in the spring, followed by dark green leaves that turn vibrant crimson and purple in the fall. The brilliant foliage provides a gorgeous backdrop for glossy black fruits. The antioxidant-rich fruits are eaten by birds and people alike (although they are pretty bitter and are mostly used in jams and jellies).

Aronia melanocarpa grows easily in all types of soil, including sandy, boggy, and clay. Like other shrubs in the Rosaceae family, it does well in both sun and shade but flowers best in full sun. Its suckering ability and tolerance of waterlogged soils make it a wonderful plant for rain gardens and natural hedges.

Blueberry

	botanical name Vaccinium spp.
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 3’-5’
	hardiness zones 3-9

There are a zillion reasons to add a blueberry shrub to your landscape (here are 11), one of them being their fantastic fall foliage that can act as a burning bush alternative. After a summer of lovely bell-shaped flowers and juicy berries, the leaves start to turn fiery shades of orange and red.

Plant blueberry shrubs in full sun. They will grow happily in partial shade, but won’t flower or fruit as prolifically as those grown in full sun. Blueberry plants like acidic, well-drained soil full of organic matter. To get your soil down to the optimum acidity of 4.0-5.5, you’ll likely need to amend with elemental sulfur or another type of fertilizer suitable for azaleas, blueberries, and other acid-loving shrubs.

Buttonbush

	botanical name Cephalanthus occidentalis
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 4’-10’
	hardiness zones 5-9

The first time I spotted buttonbush, I was in a canoe, paddling along the shoreline of a large pond near my home in Vermont. Spreading out across the shoreline and hanging over the water were these otherworldly white pincushions absolutely covered with butterflies. I was totally enthralled by both their weird shape and their ability to grow essentially in the water.

Buttonbush is definitely a conversation-starter. Sweet-smelling, globular flowers mature into red seeds in late summer. The flowers are an important source of nectar for several species of moths and butterflies. By fall, glossy green leaves fade to bright shades of yellow and orange.

This deciduous shrub is happy in shallow standing water, making it the perfect choice for wetland restoration projects, erosion control, and rain gardens. It requires little maintenance, but it is not drought-tolerant. As long as it receives enough moisture, buttonbush grows easily in full sun and in most soil types.

Cranberry Viburnum

	botanical name Viburnum trilobum
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 5’-15’
	hardiness zones 2-7

Cranberry viburnum, also known as American cranberrybush, is not a cranberry at all, although it does produce small red berries in late summer. Lacy, white cap flowers emerge in the spring. Maple-like leaves mature to beautiful burgundy and reddish-purple in the fall.

This is a hardy shrub native to northern woodlands, bogs, and thickets across North America. Plant cranberry viburnum in full sun or partial shade. Provided it gets plenty of moisture, this plant is not picky about soil type, and it will tolerate both loam and clay. Cranberry viburnum is a low-maintenance plant. However, it can be plagued by viburnum leaf beetles, which feed aggressively on its leaves.

Dwarf Fothergilla

	botanical name Fothergilla gardenii
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 2’-3’
	hardiness zones 5-8

Dwarf fothergilla (Fothergilla gardenii) is a compact, deciduous shrub known for its three-season beauty. In early spring, before leaves emerge, dwarf fothergilla produces white, honey-scented, bottlebrush-like flowers. The dark blue-green, leathery foliage that unfurls at the start of summer eventually shifts to a kaleidoscope of yellow, orange, and red in the fall, making it the perfect burning bush alternative.

A member of the witch hazel family and native to southeastern North America, this shrub thrives in moist, slightly acidic soils. Dwarf fothergilla, also called coastal witch-alder, has a relatively shallow root system and benefits from regular watering along with a healthy layer of mulch to help conserve water.

Plant dwarf fothergilla in full sun or partial shade. This shrub is relatively pest and disease-free, making it an excellent choice for low-maintenance gardens. Pruning is generally not necessary, except to remove any dead or damaged branches.

Dwarf fothergilla can be used in various landscape settings, including shrub borders, foundation plantings, and rain gardens. Its compact size, typically reaching 2 to 3 feet in height and width, makes it suitable for smaller gardens or as part of a mixed border with other moisture-loving perennials.

Fragrant Sumac

	botanical name Rhus aromatica
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 3’-8’
	hardiness zones 3-9

Unlike its lookalike, poison ivy, fragrant sumac is not poisonous. Named for its spicy citrus scent, fragrant sumac is a hardy shrub that thrives in conditions that would cripple most other plants. Although it prefers well-drained, slightly acidic soils, it also handles clay, road salt, and drought with ease. Fragrant sumac is native to thickets and woodland edges throughout eastern North America.

Inconspicuous yellow flowers emerge from this shrub in early spring, sometimes before the leaves. Dense clusters of fuzzy red berries ripen in late summer and support chickadees, finches, and other songbirds into winter. Glossy green leaves turn orange, burgundy, and purple in the fall.

This thicket-forming shrub is a hardy ground cover, well-suited for erosion control, planting along dry roadsides, and other tricky sites. Looking for a smaller plant? Try Rhus aromatica ‘Gro-Low’, a cultivar that features all the vibrant orange fall foliage of the original species but in a compact, 24-inch tall plant.

Ninebark

	botanical name Physocarpus spp.
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 3’-10’
	hardiness zones 2-8

The leaves of a ninebark are not just for fall; the foliage of this woody shrub shines year-round. Ninebark is a low-maintenance shrub that tolerates very cold temperatures (hardy to zone 2!), in addition to very poor soils, including clay. Plant this shrub in full sun or partial shade.

There are two species of ninebark native to North America: Physocarpus capitatus, which is native to the Pacific Northwest, and Physocarpus opulifolius, which hails from eastern and central North America. Both are deciduous shrubs with papery, peeling bark and spirea-like flowers in white or pale pink.

Horticulturists have had a field day with ninebark, creating many, many colorful cultivars of Physocarpus opulifolius. ‘Dart’s Gold’ is a compact variety with bright chartreuse leaves, while ‘Summer Wine’ has burgundy foliage and contrasting pale pink flowers. ‘Diablo’ stands a whopping 8-10 feet tall and boasts dark purple foliage. I currently have ‘Center Glow’ in my south-facing foundation bed – this cultivar features leaves that open greenish gold in the spring before deepening to coppery red in the summer through fall.

Oakleaf Hydrangea

	botanical name Hydrangea quercifolia
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 6’-8’
	hardiness zones 5-9

When most folks hear “hydrangea”, they likely envision big mophead flowers in shades of pink and blue. Hydrangea quercifolia, however, is here to demonstrate that hydrangeas can be more than just a pretty flower!

Known commonly as oakleaf hydrangea, this woody shrub features creamy white pyramid-shaped flowers that emerge in early summer. The broad, emerald green leaves of this plant (which, yes, resembles that of an oak tree) deepen to a rich purple-red come fall. It is a unique burning bush alternative with great shade tolerance.

Oakleaf hydrangea is native to moist, shady woodlands across southeastern North America. It thrives in full sun to partial shade, preferring more shade in the warmer zones. Conversely, plants grown in colder zones may benefit from a protective layer of burlap wrap in the winter months. Growing a tidy 6-8 feet tall, oakleaf hydrangea makes an excellent foundation shrub. Pair with astilbe and coral bells for a lovely shade garden. 

Red Osier Dogwood

	botanical name Cornus sericea
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 4’-8’
	hardiness zones 2-7

Red osier dogwood is a burning bush alternative that is here to remind us that an eye-catching landscape shrub doesn’t have to be all about foliage and flowers. Umbrella-like clusters of white flowers appear on this plant in the late spring, followed by white berries that feed songbirds well into the fall. Leaves turn coppery orange in the fall before dropping, revealing bold, crimson stems. The stems persist throughout the winter, providing much needed color when the rest of the landscape is white or bare brown. Truly, a shrub for all seasons!

Red osier dogwood is the most widespread dogwood (Cornus spp.) native to North America. It occurs over most of the continent except for the southern Great Plains and the southeast. Also called red twig dogwood, this deciduous shrub is typically found along damp streambanks or wetland edges. It grows best in loamy soils with plenty of organic matter, although it also tolerates heavy clay. Plant in full sun or partial shade.

This shrub’s large, suckering growth habit, year-round color, and tolerance of waterlogged soils make it a very effective privacy hedgerow or erosion control plant along streambanks and rain gardens. Red osier dogwood requires little maintenance,. However, regular pruning can help keep the shrub looking tidy. Every 2-3 years, prune away up to one third of the oldest stems to help stimulate new growth; new stems display the brightest red color.

Redvein Enkianthus

	botanical name Enkianthus campanulatus
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 6’-16’
	hardiness zones 4-7

Redvein enkianthus is an underused and relatively uncommon deciduous shrub that provides plenty of beautiful fall color. As a member of the Ericaceae family (heaths), this plant prefers acidic, moist soils full of organic matter.

Redvein enkianthus, also commonly called furin-tsutsuji, is native to woodlands across Japan, growing easily in both full sun and dappled shade. This is a tidy and attractive plant well-suited for foundation plantings. Try pairing with rhododendrons, oakleaf hydrangea, and other acid-loving shrubs.

Dainty, bell-shaped flowers emerge from this plant in late spring. ‘Red Bells’ features creamy white flowers with red edges, while ‘Showy Lantern’ displays rosy pink flowers. Handsome green leaves burst into red, orange, and gold in the fall.

Provided it has plenty of moisture, redvein enkianthus doesn’t require much maintenance. Prune every so often to help the shrub retain its shape. This plant flowers on old wood, so be sure to prune immediately after flowering.

Spicebush

	botanical name Lindera benzoin
	sun requirements Partial shade
	height 6’-15’
	hardiness zones 4-9

Spicebush combines the yellow, early spring flowers of a forsythia with the flashy fall foliage of a burning bush. Unlike both of those plants, however, spicebush is native to eastern North America. This native shrub is a host plant for spicebush swallowtail butterflies, and its high-fat berries are an important food source for wood thrush, Northern bobwhites, flickers, and several other birds.

Tiny yellow flowers emerge from this shrub in early spring, followed by shiny red berries that ripen in late summer. Spicebush is dioecious, meaning there are separate male and female plants, and you’ll need both in order to produce fruits. Aromatic green leaves deepen to a rich golden yellow in the fall. 

Plant spicebush in partial shade and supply it with moderate moisture while it gets established. While relatively low-maintenance, this shrub is a little sensitive to extreme heat or drought. Gardeners in warmer climates may want to plant this shrub in full shade or at least ensure it gets plenty of protection from strong afternoon sun.

Sweet Pepperbush

	botanical name Clethra alnifolia
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 3’-10’
	hardiness zones 3-9

When I first purchased my home, there was little to no landscaping aside from two giant lilac shrubs. Seeking a North American native shrub that would tolerate a little sun and little shade for the northwest corner of foundation, I purchased a sweet pepperbush. Five short years later, I now have five of these beauties scattered around the property. It’s safe to say that I’m a huge sweet pepperbush fan!

This woody shrub is slow to leaf out in the spring and is usually one of the last plants to really spring to life in my garden. Be patient, though! Bottlebrush-shaped, fantastically fragrant flowers open in mid to late summer. Flowers are usually white, but cultivars like ‘Ruby Spice’ are a beautiful soft pink.

The flowers smell incredibly sweet (this plant is also commonly called summersweet) and are usually covered with bees and other pollinators. This plant is an important nectar source for swallowtail butterflies and hummingbirds. The flowers eventually fade to little brown seed capsules, which feed warblers and other songbirds. Leaves, which are a very bright green all summer, turn brilliant gold in the fall.

Sweet pepperbush is native to floodplains and forested wetlands along the east coast of North America and as such, very happy in moist soils. It tolerates all soil types, including clay, and would be an excellent shrub for rain gardens, pollinator gardens, and erosion control on tricky slopes.

Virginia Sweetspire

	botanical name Itea virginica
	sun requirements Partial shade
	height 3’-8’
	hardiness zones 5-9

Virginia sweetspire is a mounding, deciduous shrub native to southeastern North America. This shrub prefers moist, well-drained soils but can tolerate a range of conditions, including wet soils and partial shade.

In late spring to early summer, Virginia sweetspire blooms with drooping, bottlebrush-like clusters of small, white flowers that attract tons of butterflies and bees to the garden. Graceful, arching stems are covered with oval leaves that shift from green to coppery red in the fall, offering an eco-friendly alternative to burning bush’s famous color. The cultivar ‘Henry’s Garnet’ features red to purple fall foliage.

Plant Virginia sweetspire in well-drained, humusy soil and ensure it receives regular watering, especially during its first year. Mulching around the base can help retain soil moisture and keep the roots cool. Plant in full sun or partial shade, although flowering and fall foliage color will be richest in full sun. This is a relatively low-maintenance shrub, requiring minimal pruning – just remove any dead or damaged branches in late winter or early spring.

Virginia sweetspire can spread through suckering roots, making it an excellent choice for erosion control or naturalizing areas. Plant alongside sweet pepperbush for a moisture-loving native shrub garden, or use it in the back of a rain garden border.

Final Thoughts

While the burning bush is known for its striking fall color, there are numerous alternatives that offer equally vibrant displays without the invasive tendencies. Nearly all of the above-listed plants are native to North America, meaning they support local wildlife and are well-adapted to our soils and climate.