Chicago Fire® Burning Bush

If you like to go big and bold, you won't want to miss this special shrub for fiery fall color. Chicago Fire® Burning Bush (Euonymus alatus Timber Creek') is a hardy, multi-stemmed plant that will absolutely knock your socks off every autumn.

It's been an instant hit ever since it was introduced by the Chicagoland Grow Program. As you can imagine, Chicago-area gardeners are hungry for fall color and winter interest. Chicago Fire doesn't disappoint. With its crimson-red foliage and unique red-orange berries, home gardeners have a wonderful focal point for their landscapes.

Burning Bush has always been valued for its brilliant—nearly fluorescent—fall color. Chicago Fire grows to a wonderfully versatile size and features a rounded canopy. You'll love the way it looks.

Chicago Fire really knows how to put on a show. Butterflies love the tiny yellow flowers in spring. Bold green summer leaves are held nicely along the symmetrical branches, perfect for a privacy screen.

It's interesting winged bark even looks great in winter. As an added bonus, pretty red-orange fruits appear in the fall and persist. They'll open to expose small, orange seeds that are quite ornamental in appearance.

Nature Hills understands that this genus sometimes grows too well in certain areas. That's why we use Plant Sentry™ to block shipments into regulated areas. Just punch in your zip code into our Zone Finder to see if it will work for your community.

For those that can safely grow it, there is nothing, and we mean nothing, like the bright splash of bold red of Chicago Fire. You'll turn every head in the neighborhood!

How to Use Chicago Fire® Burning Bush in the Landscape

Chicago Fire holds branches and foliage all the way down to the ground. This quality, along with its large size and round shape makes it the perfect privacy screen or hedge plant. Use along the back of your outdoor fire pit or marching down the length of your fence line.

To create a solid screen, plant them 5 feet apart on center. You'll measure from the center of one to the center of the next. In no time, they'll grow together and block any unwanted views.

When you use several plants, you wind up amplifying the remarkable brightness of the fall color. It's an outstanding display.

They make a perfect decoration for football watch parties displayed up on an outdoor screen!

You can also use a single plant as a fabulous accent. It would look incredible at the corner of your house to anchor your foundation planting. Or, try one at the corner of your garage to soften the harsh angle.

This is a low maintenance plant that has a place in both home garden and commercial landscapes. Use as a focal point in a mixed shrub planting.

Try limbing up the Chicago Fire by removing the lower branches back to a main stem. Create a pedestaled multi-trunk tree as a specimen for your patio plantings or to use near your front entrance. You'll expose the very ornamental bark of the plant.

#ProPlantTips for Care

Chicago Fire is a fast-growing variety of Burning Bush, so you won't have to wait long for results. It maintains a natural, pleasing shape, but can also withstand heavy pruning.

City or urban environments are no problem, and it performs well in various levels of full sun or shade. It also tolerates a wide range of soils, with the exception of wet, poorly drained soil. The roots will rot in poor draining soils.

Birds love the fertile seeds and spread them readily. Let Nature Hills Plant Sentry™ guide you in making the right selection for your area. Also check with your local Agricultural Extension Service to see if this plant is recommended in your area.

Use Chicago Fire to your landscape for year-round interest and an eye-catching splash of color. Go ahead, dazzle your friends and neighbors!