Hearts-a-Bustin'
Euonymus americanus
Warty magenta-pink pods split open in October to reveal orange-red seeds, one of fall's most theatrical shows. Naturalizes easily in woodland shade.
Typically 1 quart–3 gal · $17–$85 · final price at pickup
- Thu, Aug 138 AM – 4 PM
- Fri, Aug 148 AM – 4 PM
- Sat, Aug 158 AM – 2 PM
The most dramatic fall fruiting display of any native shrub in our catalog. those magenta pods bursting open with orange seeds are unforgettable.
This common name alone is worth the price of admission, and in fall, hearts-a-bustin' earns it completely. The warty, bright magenta-pink seed capsules split open in October to reveal shiny orange-red seeds dangling from each lobe, creating one of the most theatrical fall displays in the native palette. It looks almost tropical, which makes it all the more surprising to find this as a Virginia woodland understory shrub. It's an upright, loosely branched shrub for shaded edges and woodland gardens, where it naturalizes gracefully without demanding attention. The inconspicuous summer flowers transition to those explosive fall pods, and birds, especially thrushes and bluebirds, seek out the seeds before they drop.
A nursery-grown plant, ready for the ground.
Healthy, container-grown hearts-a-bustin' propagated on-site at Hill House from regional genetics. Includes a one-page care card. We make every effort to supply plants as listed; occasionally we substitute a similar species of equal value.
Plant hearts-a-bustin' instead of Asian euonymus species (Euonymus fortunei, E. alatus). Same job in the garden, without the spread.
- Sun
- Part shade
- Water
- Average
- Mature size
- 3–6 ft · 24–48 in wide
- Bloom time
- Summer
- USDA zones
- 6–9
- Family
- Celastraceae
- Native range
- Eastern United States
Care notes for hearts-a-bustin'.
Part shade to full shade in moist, well-drained soil. Tolerates dry shade once established but fruit set is best with consistent moisture. No pruning needed. Can be cut back in early spring if leggy. Deer will occasionally browse but established plants recover well.
Pairs well with these.
Same light, same soil, same wildlife. Janet's picks to plant alongside hearts-a-bustin'.
Or skip the guesswork.
Curated packages bundle complementary species for an instant habitat. One reservation, one pickup day, a printed layout map.
Short on Space Package
For gardeners who have an abundance of passion but are short on space, this package features tidy, upright, clump-forming natives that behave and function well in small spaces.
Shade Bed Package
Ferns, sedges, and woodland natives that thrive under existing trees.
Birder’s Paradise Package
For the avid bird watchers and budding ornithologists in our community, the Birder’s Paradise Package consists of species that Hill House Nursery staff and longtime native plant advocates such as Doug Tallamy consider ‘premier bird garden plants’.