Is Winged Euonymus deer resistant?

About Winged Euonymus

Sold for decades as burning bush on the strength of its fluorescent pink autumn colour, and now recognised as seriously invasive across the northeast and midwest, where birds spread the seed into woodland. Banned in several states. For the same autumn colour, plant fothergilla or Virginia sweetspire instead.

Deer-resistant alternatives to Winged Euonymus

Same plant type, hardy in the same zones, but rated better on the Rutgers scale. If Winged Euonymus keeps getting eaten, these go in the same spot.

• Arrowwood ViburnumViburnum dentatumZones 2–8Rarely damaged
• BarberryBerberis sp.Zones 4–8, genus rangeRarely damaged
• DaphneDaphne sp.Zones 4–8, genus rangeRarely damaged
• Devil's Walking StickAralia spinosaZones 4–9Rarely damaged
• Fragrant SumacRhus aromaticaZones 3–9Rarely damaged
• Japanese BarberryBerberis thunbergiiZones 4–8Rarely damaged

Similar to Winged Euonymus

Other shrubs with the same deer rating.

• Bigleaf HydrangeaHydrangea macrophyllaZones 6–11Occasionally damaged
• Bloodtwig DogwoodCornus sanguineaZones 5–7Occasionally damaged
• Blue HollyIlex x meserveaeZones 5–7Occasionally damaged
• Carolina RhododendronRhododendron carolinianumZones 5–8Occasionally damaged
• Catawba RhododendronRhododendron catawbienseZones 4–8Occasionally damaged
• Chinese LilacSyringa x chinensisZones 3–7Occasionally damaged

Protecting Winged Euonymus

Whether this survives comes down to local pressure, so it is worth knowing the options before it gets browsed rather than after.

• How tall a deer fence needs to beEight feet, and six is the most common expensive mistake in deer fencing.
• Repellent that actually worksThe egg-based recipe that reproduces the active ingredient in the commercial sprays that win university trials.
• Check it is actually deerDeer tear and leave a ragged stub. A clean 45-degree cut is rabbits, and slug holes get blamed on deer constantly.

Where Winged Euonymus grows

Hardy across most of these 50 states on zone range alone. Mountain and coastal areas sit outside the ranges used here, so check your own zone before ordering.

• Pennsylvania
• New Jersey
• New York
• Connecticut
• Massachusetts
• Virginia
• Maryland
• Michigan
• Wisconsin
• Ohio
• Indiana
• Illinois
• Minnesota
• Missouri
• North Carolina
• Tennessee
• Georgia
• Texas
• Colorado
• California
• Oregon
• Washington
• New Hampshire
• Vermont
• Maine
• Rhode Island
• Delaware
• West Virginia
• Kentucky
• South Carolina
• Florida
• Alabama
• Mississippi
• Louisiana
• Arkansas
• Oklahoma
• Kansas
• Nebraska
• Iowa
• North Dakota
• South Dakota
• Montana
• Wyoming
• Idaho
• Utah
• Nevada
• Arizona
• New Mexico
• Alaska
• District of Columbia

Browse from here

Every list Winged Euonymus belongs to.

• All shrubs
• Sometimes destroyed
• Part shade plants

Hardy in these zones

• Zone 4
• Zone 5
• Zone 6
• Zone 7
• Zone 8

Common questions about Winged Euonymus

Is Winged Euonymus deer resistant?

Winged Euonymus (Euonymus alatus) is rated Occasionally Severely Damaged on the Rutgers NJAES four-tier scale. Browsed where deer pressure is high. Protect it.

What hardiness zones does Winged Euonymus grow in?

Winged Euonymus is hardy in USDA zones 4 to 8. Outside that range it will either not survive winter or will struggle with summer heat.

Does Winged Euonymus grow in shade?

Yes. Winged Euonymus tolerates part shade, which makes it one of the options for a shaded bed where deer also browse.

How big does Winged Euonymus get?

Mature height is roughly 180–240 in. Growth rate is moderate.

Is Winged Euonymus toxic to dogs or cats?

Yes. The ASPCA lists Winged Euonymus as toxic to dogs, cats, and horses. Site it away from where animals graze, or choose something else if you have a dog that chews.

Is Winged Euonymus invasive?

Winged Euonymus is listed as invasive or restricted in MA, NH, CT, NY, PA, NJ, OH, VA, MD, RI, VT, ME. Deer leaving it alone is not a reason to plant it. Check your own state before buying.