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Euonymus alatus

Burning Bush · Burning Bush Spindletree · Spindletree · Burningbush

Family CelastraceaeGenus Euonymus

A broad shrub turned brilliant crimson in autumn, standing against a wooden fence and stone wall
The whole plantChris Barton/Gif absarntCC BY-SA 3.0

About the plant

What it is and where it grows — not part of any germination protocol.

The plant

Habit
shrubPlants of the World Online
Habit
Perennial, ShrubPLANTS Database
Height
15-20 ft4.6-6.1 mExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Spread
15-20 ft4.6-6.1 mExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Flower
Gold/Yellow, Green, Red/BurgundyExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Blooms
SpringExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Native range
Amur, Buryatiya, China North-Central, China South-Central, China Southeast, Chita and elsewhereGBIF Backbone Taxonomy
Hardiness zones
4-8Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox

Growing conditions

Sun
Full sun; Partial ShadeExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Soil
Clay, High Organic Matter, Loam (Silt), SandExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0), Alkaline (>8.0), Neutral (6.0-8.0)Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Moisture
Good Drainage, Moist, Occasionally DryExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Watering
Drought tolerance: LowPLANTS Database

Toxicity is noted only where a source states it. No note here is not a finding of safety.

Sources: Plants of the World Online — Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew; PLANTS Database — USDA NRCS; Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox — NC State Extension; GBIF Backbone Taxonomy — Global Biodiversity Information Facility.

Worth knowing

  • Alatus is Latin for winged, for the four corky ridges on its stems. Named burning bush for its red autumn color, it is invasive in woodlands of the northeastern United States. Wikipedia: Euonymus alatus

Two sources report 7 treatments between them. All are shown.

Protocol 1

DerivedN. C. Deno, 1996

Difficulty Moderate Rated by us, not by the source.

Start around March 15, 2027 for a May 3 last frost. Too late for spring 2027 — that needed starting on March 14, 2026.

  1. Clean the flesh off the seed

  2. Leach in running water

    Duration: 7 days

    Washed and cleaned daily for 7 days.

  3. Gibberellic acid soak

  4. Warm moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C

  5. Cold moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 40°F 4°C

  6. Warm moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C

    12 germinated in this phase.

  7. Cold moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 40°F 4°C

  8. Warm moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C

about 12 months from start to step 8. Germination happens during step 8, in 20 days.

85% germination in 3–20 days.

Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 1st Supplement — N. C. Deno, 1996 · 1st Supplement, Euonymus p. 43Public domain
Show the original text
Euonymus (Celastraceae). It had been found that with both E. alatus seed WC 7 d in detergent are 70 GA-3-40-70(12%)-40-70(85% in 3-20 d), 70- 40-70-40-70(13%)-40-70-40-70(5%), and 40-70-40-70-40-70(58% in 4-18 d)-40- 70(2%). The data for
Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 1st Supplement, 1st Supplement, Euonymus p. 43. Quoted exactly. Every value on this card comes from this record, except the difficulty rating, which is ours; the step names come from a fixed list.

Protocol 2

DerivedN. C. Deno, 1996

Difficulty High Rated by us, not by the source.

Start around December 17, 2026 for a May 3 last frost. Too late for spring 2027 — that needed starting on December 16, 2025.

  1. Clean the flesh off the seed

  2. Leach in running water

    Duration: 7 days

    Washed and cleaned daily for 7 days.

  3. Cold moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 40°F 4°C

  4. Warm moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C

  5. Cold moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 40°F 4°C

  6. Warm moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C

  7. Cold moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 40°F 4°C

  8. Warm moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C

  9. Cold moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 40°F 4°C

  10. Warm moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C

    2 germinated in this phase.

Steps after step 8 run on after germination.

about 15 months from start to step 8. Germination happens during step 8, in 18 days.

58% germination in 4–18 days.

Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 1st Supplement — N. C. Deno, 1996 · 1st Supplement, Euonymus p. 43Public domain
Show the original text
Euonymus (Celastraceae). It had been found that with both E. alatus seed WC 7 d in detergent are 70 GA-3-40-70(12%)-40-70(85% in 3-20 d), 70- 40-70-40-70(13%)-40-70-40-70(5%), and 40-70-40-70-40-70(58% in 4-18 d)-40- 70(2%). The data for
Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 1st Supplement, 1st Supplement, Euonymus p. 43. Quoted exactly. Every value on this card comes from this record, except the difficulty rating, which is ours; the step names come from a fixed list.

Protocol 3

DerivedN. C. Deno, 1996

Difficulty High Rated by us, not by the source.

Start around March 14, 2027 for a May 3 last frost. Too late for spring 2027 — that needed starting on March 13, 2026.

  1. Clean the flesh off the seed

  2. Leach in running water

    Duration: 7 days

    Washed and cleaned daily for 7 days.

  3. Warm moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C

  4. Cold moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 40°F 4°C

  5. Warm moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C

  6. Cold moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 40°F 4°C

  7. Warm moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C

  8. Cold moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 40°F 4°C

  9. Warm moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C

  10. Cold moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 40°F 4°C

  11. Warm moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C

    5 germinated in this phase.

Steps after step 7 run on after germination.

about 12 months from start to step 7. Germination happens during step 7; time not stated, 21 days assumed.

13% germination.

Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 1st Supplement — N. C. Deno, 1996 · 1st Supplement, Euonymus p. 43Public domain
Show the original text
Euonymus (Celastraceae). It had been found that with both E. alatus seed WC 7 d in detergent are 70 GA-3-40-70(12%)-40-70(85% in 3-20 d), 70- 40-70-40-70(13%)-40-70-40-70(5%), and 40-70-40-70-40-70(58% in 4-18 d)-40- 70(2%). The data for
Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 1st Supplement, 1st Supplement, Euonymus p. 43. Quoted exactly. Every value on this card comes from this record, except the difficulty rating, which is ours; the step names come from a fixed list.

Protocol 4

DerivedN. C. Deno, 1993

Difficulty Low Rated by us, not by the source.

Sow around December 2026 — a date the source gives, not one counted back from a May 3 last frost.

  1. Clean the flesh off the seed

  2. Leach in running water

    Duration: 28 days

    Washed and cleaned daily for 4 weeks.

  3. Sow outdoors and leave it

    Sown outdoors in December; up in March and April.

about 4 weeks from start to sowing. Germination time not stated; 21 days assumed.

70% germination.

Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed. — N. C. Deno, 1993 · Ch. 20, Euonymus p. 141Public domain
Show the original text
Euonymus. (Celastraceae). Germination was low and extended in E. alatus and europaeus until it was discovered that good germination can be obtained only under outdoor treatment after 15 months and only if the seed is WC for 4 w with intermittent washes with detergent. The berries are oily, and the inhibitor in the fruit must be oil soluble. The detergent washes were conducted for only a few minutes, but longer times are probably tolerated since the berry is in the gut of birds where there is strong emulsifying action. It is possible that much shorter washing times would be effective if the washings were conducted entirely in detergent: Several other species germ. more readily, but even with these it would be of interest to compare washing in water with washing in detergent solutions. E. alatus seed was WC for 4 w with intermittent detergent washes as described above. This seed was placed outdoors in December 1989. There was no germination the following spring but 54% germ. a year later in March and April of 1991. All other treatments failed to germinate a significant amount; In these other treatments the seed would split and expand after several cycles but fail to exert any radicle. If such seeds were placed outdoors in December after a year of alternating cycles, they germ. 70% in March and April the same as if it had been outdoors the whole time. The remaining seed in these outdoor treatments remained firm and turgid and fUrther germination is expected. Light or GA-3 failed to promote germination; Seed WC only in water without detergent failed to germinate a single seed under conditions that gave good germination with the detergent washed seed, a dramatic difference. The effect of DS has not been studied properly as yet, but the indications are that DS of WC seed is not tolerated because seed DS 6 m at 70 rotted instead of remaining firm.
Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed., Ch. 20, Euonymus p. 141. Quoted exactly. Every value on this card comes from this record, except the difficulty rating, which is ours; the step names come from a fixed list.

Protocol 5

DerivedN. C. Deno, 1993

Difficulty Moderate Rated by us, not by the source.

  1. Clean the flesh off the seed

  2. Leach in running water

    Duration: 28 days

    Washed and cleaned daily for 4 weeks.

  3. Sow outdoors and leave it

    Up in March and April.

about 4 weeks from start to sowing.

45% germination.

This source doesn't state how long step 3 lasts.

Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed. — N. C. Deno, 1993 · Ch. 20, Euonymus p. 141Public domain
Show the original text
Euonymus. (Celastraceae). Germination was low and extended in E. alatus. Seed collected in November, WC for 4 w with weekly short detergent washes, and given outdoor treatment germ. 45% in March and April in the first spring and 15% the second spring. Seed WC for just 7 d without detergent failed to germinate. Other treatments gave either no germination or. germination in the 10-20% range in the 3rd-6th cycles of alternating cycles. Light or GA-3 had no effect. Like E. alatus, seed of
Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed., Ch. 20, Euonymus p. 141. Quoted exactly. Every value on this card comes from this record, except the difficulty rating, which is ours; the step names come from a fixed list.

Protocol 6

DerivedN. C. Deno, 1993

Difficulty High Rated by us, not by the source.

Start around February 28, 2027 for a May 3 last frost. Too late for spring 2027 — that needed starting on February 27, 2026.

  1. Clean the flesh off the seed

  2. Leach in running water

    Duration: 7 days

    Washed and cleaned daily for 7 days.

  3. Warm moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C

  4. Cold moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 40°F 4°C

  5. Warm moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C

    10 germinated in this phase.

  6. Cold moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 40°F 4°C

  7. Warm moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C

  8. Cold moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 40°F 4°C

  9. Warm moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C

    5 germinated in this phase.

Steps after step 7 run on after germination.

about 12 months from start to step 7. Germination happens during step 7, in 35 days.

15% germination in 7–35 days.

Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed. — N. C. Deno, 1993 · Ch. 20, Euonymus p. 141Public domain
Show the original text
Euonymus. (Celastraceae). Germination was low and extended in E. alatus. Seed collected in November and WC 7 d germ. 70-40-70(10% in 2nd w)-40-70(15% in 1-5 w)-40-70(5%) and 40-70(2%)- 40(9%)-70(2%)-40-70(2%). Seed DS 6 m at 40 or 70 in the WC state all rotted, but seed DS in the dried fruit germ. about the same as fresh seed.
Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed., Ch. 20, Euonymus p. 141. Quoted exactly. Every value on this card comes from this record, except the difficulty rating, which is ours; the step names come from a fixed list.

Protocol 7

DerivedN. C. Deno, 1993

Difficulty Very high Rated by us, not by the source.

Start around September 10, 2027 for a May 3 last frost. Too late for spring 2027 — that needed starting on September 9, 2026.

  1. Clean the flesh off the seed

  2. Leach in running water

    Duration: 7 days

    Washed and cleaned daily for 7 days.

  3. Cold moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 40°F 4°C

  4. Warm moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C

    2 germinated in this phase.

  5. Cold moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 40°F 4°C

  6. Warm moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C

    2 germinated in this phase.

  7. Cold moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 40°F 4°C

  8. Warm moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C

    2 germinated in this phase.

Steps after step 5 run on after germination.

about 6 months from start to step 5. Germination happens during step 5; time not stated, 21 days assumed.

9% germination.

Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed. — N. C. Deno, 1993 · Ch. 20, Euonymus p. 141Public domain
Show the original text
Euonymus. (Celastraceae). Germination was low and extended in E. alatus. Seed collected in November and WC 7 d germ. 70-40-70(10% in 2nd w)-40-70(15% in 1-5 w)-40-70(5%) and 40-70(2%)- 40(9%)-70(2%)-40-70(2%). Seed DS 6 m at 40 or 70 in the WC state all rotted, but seed DS in the dried fruit germ. about the same as fresh seed.
Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed., Ch. 20, Euonymus p. 141. Quoted exactly. Every value on this card comes from this record, except the difficulty rating, which is ours; the step names come from a fixed list.

How each step is done, in Deno’s words, and what Verified and Derived mean.

Germination trials

Readers’ own records of sowing this species, published after review. Share your trial · All trials

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