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Strawberry bush is a strange beauty but not one you want to eat.
Photo by L.A. Jackson
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The oakleaf hydrangea brings autumn bling for your enjoyment.
Photo by L.A. Jackson
When I moved to my current home many eons ago, one of the first things I did was check the property for any neat native plants that might be tucked away in the open areas and woodlands. It took all of about two minutes to find my first botanical treasure: strawberry bush.
I should explain first what strawberry bush (Euonymus americanus) isn’t. It is not related to the stubby plants that serve up those delicious, juicy berries destined for shortcakes in the spring.
Strawberry bush (also known as “hearts-a-busting”) is a native understory shrub that likes to inhabit open forests and shady riverbanks. Being a gangly, skinny plant that only reaches about 5 to 6 feet high, it is easy to miss in the spring and summer. Even its tiny, greenish-yellow blooms attract little attention.
In the fall, however, pollinated blossoms morph into small, bumpy fruit that brighten to a brash magenta and split open to expose fire-engine-red seeds. This unusual display is followed by the deciduous leaves serving up an encore by turning a smoldering scarlet to finish the strawberry bush’s autumn show.
Strawberry bush favors moist soil in its native environment, but it can adapt to almost any cultivated setting. Heck, my wild finds have grown just fine in tough clay dirt. Light shade is preferred, with some morning sun.
The bright seeds will be enjoyed by friendly flyers such as cardinals, bluebirds, wood thrushes, and mockingbirds, but don’t be tempted to try them yourself because they can put your tummy in a real twist.
Being native, strawberry bush is a tough survivor in the wild—that is, except when deer are around. This plant is quite a delicacy for them, so be forewarned that, without fencing, regular sprayings of repellent, or a vigilant yard dog, prunings by Bambi are a possibility.
Despite its appealing beauty, strawberry bush is not a common sight in retail garden centers, except those that have impressive native plant inventories. Online, however, you can find it at regional e-nurseries such as Ty Ty Nursery (tytyga.com) in Georgia and The Shop at Monticello (monticelloshop.org) in Virginia.
October in the Garden
• If the cool autumn breezes fail to ditch your itch to plant more veggies, there is still time statewide to start onions (either plants or sets), garlic and garden peas. Gardeners from Columbia to the coast can also squeeze in another round of spinach, mustard greens, lettuce, kale, Brussels sprouts or collards.
• Thinking about expanding a vegetable patch or flower bed during next year’s growing season? Go ahead and dig up or rototill the new areas now. Leave the ground rough through the winter so the rains and freezing temperatures can help break up the soil, making it easier to work next spring.
• Get into the spirit of Halloween and “haunt” local nurseries for end-of-growing-season sales on leftover perennials and woody ornamentals.
Tip of the Month
Burning bush (Euonymus alatus) is a cousin of strawberry bush that was imported from Asia in the 1860s, and its flaming fall foliage certainly tempts gardeners to add it to their landscapes. Don’t. It can easily seed about, so burning bush has been tagged as invasive in South Carolina. “Fire Ball Seedless,” a noninvasive, sterile cultivar, has been developed, but why not grow wild instead? Many native plants can provide just as much visual autumn bling with their leaves, including Virginia sweetspire (Itea virginica), chokeberry (Aronia arbutifolia), smoketree (Cotinus obovatus), oakleaf hydrangea (Hydrangea quercifolia), and fragrant sumac (Rhus aromatica).