Bitter-ash
Euonymus atropurpureus
Last reviewed: June 2026
Light
part sun
Water
medium
Size
120"–240" H × 60"–120" W
Bloom
May, Jun
Native to
AL, AR, CT, DE and 33 more states
Pollinators
bees, butterflies
Browse plants for this ecoregion
Euonymus atropurpureus is a native deciduous shrub that grows 10-20 feet tall with an upright, somewhat open form. It produces small greenish flowers in late spring followed by distinctive purple capsules that split open to reveal bright red seeds in fall. The foliage turns yellow to reddish-purple in autumn before dropping.
In an HOA neighborhood
Bitter-ash takes more care to keep looking intentional in a front yard. Maintenance level: moderate. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.
Works well in: backyard only.
- Large mature size may exceed typical landscaping scale
- Open growth habit can appear unstructured
- May look sparse in winter without leaves
Wildlife value
The flowers attract bees and butterflies in late spring and early summer. Birds feed on the colorful seeds, and the shrub provides nesting habitat for various songbirds.
Native range data from the USDA PLANTS Database and regional native plant society lists. Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.
Does Bitter-ash fit your yard? Open it in Pollinator Patch to check it against your sun, soil, and HOA-conscious filters.