Euonymus americanus – This is a New World Euonymus commonly called Hearts-a-Burstin’. It is a woodland shrub or woodland’s edge species of somewhat open disposition with dark green stems year round. Insignificant (but not unattractive) greenish to greenish-yellow flowers become extraordinarily significant fruits! Red-violet lobed and warty seed capsules about .75” in diameter open wider and larger to reveal bright scarlet glossy “berries”. The fruiting structures are very showy and numerous receiving frequent comment from those who stroll through our largest garden in the late season. The elliptic green leaves of summer may turn light yellow and in some autumns, reddish – in either event striking against the dark green branches adorned with fruits that look like unusual, earthy Christmas tree ornaments. We judiciously prune our shrubs every couple years to keep them smaller and bushier. Though ours have remained “clean” this species is said to be susceptible to euonymus scale. Spring planting may be the wise tactic for gardeners towards the northern end of its range. Cutting grown.