Read the full story from University of Illinois Extension.
Some years ago, it was shocking to learn that one of my favorite ornamental shrubs, burning bush (Euonymus alatus), is invasive. It took a while for this news to sink in, and after seeing it invade woodlands across southern Illinois, I finally came to terms with the bad news.
This time of year, I always think of burning bush because of its spectacular fall color. As it turns the burning, bright red shade we all know it for, it sticks out like a sore thumb in woodlands. This damaging invasive threatens native plant diversity by invading and crowding out spring ephemeral wildflowers, native shrubs, and native tree seedlings. Not only does it threaten understory diversity, but it also alters our future forest overstory by blocking out new seedlings, which must be established to bring about the future canopy.
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