Hearts a Bustin’ (Euonymus americanus)
I first met the Hearts a Bustin’ plant one autumn growing in the woods just outside the elementary school playground fence where I was supposed to be monitoring the children’s activities on the ballfield. But the brilliant reds and pinks of the small fruits on this plant captured my attention with much more urgency and attention than anything on that ball field.
I later learned from the naturalist at Smithgall Woods State Park the name of this plant: Hearts a Bustin’ or Hearts a Bursting. The Grumpy Gardener also calls the plant Strawberry Bush (Southern Living October, 2011), as do many other sources.
This deciduous shrub is a native of U.S., primarily of the southern and southeastern states. It is an understory plant and is often found at the edge of the forest, where it receives filtered sunlight at most. At my place, I’ve discovered several Hearts a Bustin’ along my roadway at the edge of the woods. Even when not in bloom, the plant is easy to locate by its noticeably green stems. Stems bear oblong, pointed leaves. In spring, the buds are light green, maturing to pink and then in fall the red buds split open bustin’ with vibrant orange seeds.
The only caution is that deer seem to like eating the leaves.
If you have the right spot to add this to your shady landscape, it will be a welcome addition. Search for the plant from nurseries specializing in native plants.
Linda Mobley, MGEV
