Strawberry Bush (Euonymus americanus): Native Shrub with Bursting Hearts

Strawberry Bush: The Shrub with Exploding Red Fruits

Strawberry bush (Euonymus americanus), also called bursting-heart, hearts-a-bustin', or brook euonymus, is a deciduous native shrub of southeastern U.S. woodlands. Its inconspicuous greenish flowers are followed by warty, pink capsules that split open in fall to reveal bright orange-red seeds, resembling bursting hearts.

Botanical Profile

Grows 4–6 feet tall with an open, airy habit. Green stems are photosynthetic. Leaves are opposite, oval, turning pale yellow in fall. The fruit display is unique and showy.

Ecological and Garden Uses

• Wildlife: Seeds eaten by birds, small mammals; foliage browsed by deer.
• Native woodland garden: Understory shrub for shade.
• Fall interest: Spectacular fruit display.
• Erosion control: Roots stabilize stream banks.

Part to full shade, moist, well-drained, acidic soil. Tolerates periodic flooding. Difficult to transplant; buy container-grown. Hardy in USDA zones 5–9.