The Cole’s Compact Burning Bush, otherwise known as the Euonymus Alatus ‘Cole’S Compact’ or Burning Bush, Winged Spindle Tree, Winged Euonymus, Winged Burning Bush, is a rather well known shrub plant by gardening enthusiasts around the world.
Best known for its low maintenance and moderate growth, this shrub will likely liven up your house (or garden) with its green colored leaves. But, only if you learn how to take proper care of it for it to thrive.
This is why all the topics you need to know in order to achieve this will be covered in this Cole’s Compact Burning Bush Care Guide. Ready? Let’s go!
In order to take proper care of your Cole’s Compact Burning Bush you’ll need to keep in mind the following guidelines:
- Water: The Cole’s Compact Burning Bush wants regular watering to enhance fruit production but as a landscape plant, too much water will be a problem.
- Light: Keep your Euonymus Alatus ‘Cole’S Compact’ in an environment where it can receive full sun on a daily basis.
- Soil: Make sure to keep the Cole’s Compact Burning Bush in soil with moist but well-draining to well draining properties, so ideally, one that is made of clay, loam, chalk, and sand.
And that’s practically it! If you keep these three factors in check, your Cole’s Compact Burning Bush will likely have all it needs for it to survive and even thrive.
Scientific / Botanical Aspects
In botanical terms, the Cole’s Compact Burning Bush belongs to the Celastraceae family, the genus Euonymus and the species Alatus, hence its scientific (or botanical) name Euonymus Alatus ‘Cole’S Compact’ (yoo-ON-ih-mus a-LAY-tus).
As with other Euonymus’s, the Cole’s Compact Burning Bush is a deciduous plant, which means it will shed its leaves annually once autumn comes.
Growing Region
The Cole’s Compact Burning Bush is a plant native to the South Siberia to Japan and China.
You might be wondering why your Cole’s Compact Burning Bush’s native region is important. Well, if you know where your plant originally came from, you’ll know which environment conditions it prefers, and with it, knowledge on how to replicate it at home.
With this in mind, the Euonymus Alatus ‘Cole’S Compact’ will be most used to the heat zones in the 1 – 9 region, as the plant hardiness level falls between 4a, 4b, 5b, 5a, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8b, 8a and the ideal climate zone is between 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 14, 15, 16, A3.
Growth and Size
Growth
In terms of size and growth, the Cole’s Compact Burning Bush is a relatively moderate grower, which makes things somewhat easy for any plant enthusiast.
Size
But, how big does the Cole’s Compact Burning Bush actually get? What should you expect in terms of size? Let’s dive right in…
The Euonymus Alatus ‘Cole’S Compact’ can grow up to 15′ – 20′ (4.5m – 6m) in 15′ – 20′ (4.5m – 6m) and 15′ – 20′ (4.5m – 6m) in 15′ – 20′ (4.5m – 6m).
Also, expect it to grow in a wonderful compact shape, which is something worthwhile to remember when making your garden landscape plans.
Water
In terms of watering, the Cole’s Compact Burning Bush is a fairly complicated plant to take care of.
This is mostly because it has a not so straightforward watering schedule and somewhat regular watering needs.
Specifically, most experts agree that the Euonymus Alatus ‘Cole’S Compact’ wants regular watering to enhance fruit production but as a landscape plant, too much water will be a problem.
Which is why it is considered a plant with relatively average needs in terms of water.
Watering
As a rule of thumb, you should remember to keep your Cole’s Compact Burning Bush in soil with moist but well-draining to well draining characteristics, as these will guarantee the right conditions for your plant to grow and thrive.
When you consider this, this is why you should aim to choose soil that has good drainage properties to keep the right moisture levels at all times.
However, in our experience, the best solution to knowing the right amount of water for your Cole’s Compact Burning Bush is with the ‘thumb’ technique. Basically, you insert your finger into the soil, and based if you feel the soil moist or dry, you determine if it needs any water, which is the most appropriate way to go about watering your leafy friend.
Soil Mix
As mentioned earlier, the Cole’s Compact Burning Bush prefers to have soil with good drainage properties at all times, reason why you need to make the soil mix out of clay, loam, chalk, and sand.
This is why most experts agree that the Cole’s Compact Burning Bush requires soil with high organic matter, loam (silt), and sand, which will give you the right conditions it needs.
In addition to this, expert gardeners recommend having preferably alkaline, acid or neutral soil.
Light and Exposure
In terms of light & exposure, the Cole’s Compact Burning Bush requires full sun in order for it to thrive under the right conditions.
Most experts agree that this shrub will do well as long as you keep it in partial to full sun, and it will be able to grow properly.
Specifically, we recommend that you place your Euonymus Alatus ‘Cole’S Compact’ in little to partial shade (only 2-6 hours of direct sunlight a day), to full and direct sun (more 6 hours of direct sunlight per day).
Season
Being a deciduous plant, the Cole’s Compact Burning Bush will shed its leaves annually once autumn comes.
But, you can expect it to have its ‘prime-time’ during the spring (late), the summer (early, mid, late), the fall, and during the winter.
Flowers
You can expect your Cole’s Compact Burning Bush to flower around the spring months from April to June (spring).
The Cole’s Compact Burning Bush produces some wonderful green and red/burgundy flowers around this time of year.
Foliage
The leaves from the Cole’s Compact Burning Bush have a beautiful green color during most of the year.
In particular, they have a simple arrangement with a opposite organization in its leaves.
You can expect the leaves from your Euonymus Alatus ‘Cole’S Compact’ to be around (1-3 inches) in size.
The Cole’s Compact Burning Bush is well known for being able to attract birds, so keep that in mind when choosing your plant, as you’ll likely end up finding one or another in your garden.
Garden
Now, let’s talk garden and how your Cole’s Compact Burning Bush will look best in it.
Most Euonymus Alatus ‘Cole’S Compact’ owners agree that this shrub will look great in most asian/zen and contemporary gardens of all types.
Other owners consider that they complement well most gardens of informal and cottage, and in traditional garden styles.
In particular, the Cole’s Compact Burning Bush’s best location within your garden is in beds and borders, and in hedges and screens, others use it for landscaping in a specimen, privacy screen, firescaping/fire wise, border, hedge, mass planting, or a wildlife garden.
Companion Plants
Cole’s Compact Burning Bush’s do well with some other plants beside it. One good companion plant is the Fothergilla, which will pair up nicely with your leafy friend.
Others consider that a nice Spiraea will work well too, so choose whichever you find works best for you!
Conclusion
So that’s it! These are the main plant care requirements that you need to keep in mind in order to have a healthy Cole’s Compact Burning Bush in your garden or home.
