Closeup of berries on E. alatus, Burning Bush

Love the bright colours, nice garden feature.

Hi Lori, this is stunning, i have been thinking about buying one, just wondered if you know weather the berries are toxic to humans? they look beautiful Brooke would definately want a closer look. also how fast does it grow, i know they can get quite big, but i want something to provide a bit of screening but easy to keep to the size that i want approx 6-8ft, any tips would be much appreciated. thanks Angie.

They can grow quite large (even the ones called 'dwarf' get to be very tall and wide) They should be called cast iron shrub, in my opinion because they are very hardy...grow very quickly, fruit madly and have been designated an 'invasive" plant in the U.S. Mine grew from one small slip...they hitched a ride in a spirea...didn't know it was there until ...surprise! who are you, then?
they resemble the trees of the Serengetti... lol... they are an inverted pyramid shape...and flat on top... the berries are true fruit...a large seed encapsulated in a sac of juicy pulp. (something like a pomegranite seed) they spread by self seeding too. From what I've seen all you need is a very small cutting.. The birds enjoy them...don't think they're poisonous...might be a tad sour...but I've never been tempted to sample. It is so hardy that you can almost be punitive in your pruning...they bounce right back. They would make a fine screen but be prepared to exert control...have you considered planting it with Purple Sand Cherry?(Prunus cistena) or the yellow leafed Spireas? the low growing S. bumalda or S. japonica.

Thanks Lori, should be perfect for the area i have planned. there is already a green leaved full size Cherry tree over hanging the area where it will be planted, and next to that a golden forsythia, which is already well established and approx 7-8ft - this gets a good hair cut every year. I am going to make a loose type screen, in a mixed shrubby bed with Sambucus nigra 'Black Lace', which is a very dark leaf with pink flowers. a winter flowering Witch Hazel, which has pale lime green leaves thoughout the summer, turning golden yellow in the autumn, bright red flowers in the winter (i have just added a pic of this one). An evergreen Pittosporum 'Tom Thumb' (just put a picture on of this) it is dark purple with apple green new growth it's a dwarf varety that will be planted at the base of the Euonymus. if there is room i also have 2 dog woods one orange stem one yellow. so i think we are thinking along the same lines. i would like this bed to have colourful screening thoughout the summer, real wow factor for autumn, then a spot of winter interest. what do you think? will i achieve this? i will be doing a blog once this project gets under way. would really appreicate any advice and ideas and imput you have once i get going...so watch this space. thanks Lori. oh and forgot to add on the other side of this bed i already have a purple smoke bush. and in the bed in front i have a yellow one too, so i think the autumn should be good once all gets going...

Wow...sounds like you have it all planned out, Majeeka...I've been thinking of a cotinus...hmmm... great idea. You've covered all the size ranges and the seasons... (I wish I lived where I could plant winter flowering shrubs!!)
Will watch your pics with interest!

Thanks Lori, watch out for the blogs, will be doing a few to follow this and one or to other projects i have up my sleeve for this year, only thing is as i am on a tight buget, will have to buy all the plants small, so not gonna look right straight away, but aint that the beauty of gardening! lol

Ah..yes ...speak to me of budgets...common ground, Majeeka. about the only good thing I can think of about buying things small and young is that if it dies you haven't mortgaged the farm to buy it!! I like to think of gardening like a game of golf...you have to play it as it lies...and dealing with a missed putt, a slice or a sand trap, builds strength of character!! LOL...seems to me that you have planned very well.

thanks Lori, i have done quite a fair amount of thinking and mulling over, never put pen to paper in these things, but yes i would asy lots of planning, i just want to get out and do now, but it is like a mud bath, but not being the most paient of people i will proberly be out there at the weekend regardless making a start on removing turf, digging etc....oh well should make for funny reading in a blog.

I do envy you.... I would love to be able to go out and dig a bit...but the only thing I can dig....is shovelling snow!!! Won't be able to do any digging at all til early May...sigh...guess I'll just go read some blogs!