Euonymus americanus
This common shrub of the southeastern woods could be easily overlooked when it flowers NOW. The tiny flowers are pale green and yellow and give no suggestion as to the dramatic fruit they will bear in the fall.
Yes, this image is a result of the scanning technique that is so simple and interesting.
The round reddish-purple husks really burst open to reveal Day-Glo orange seeds. Hearts-a-Bustin (With Love -my appellation since the ripe pods form hearts) is a favorite food for deer which may be good or bad for your particular situation.
My plants came from the woods of eastern Kentucky via the generous heart of Mrs. Mary E. Fraim. From the woods on the hillside of her home came a few little starts and they made NC home.
The leaves come and go but the stems stay green all year. They are easy to air or ground layer and need to have their cores thinned out at about the 4 year mark - otherwise they get root bound and begin to die.
Some of my plants have reached the 10 foot mark. I have also discovered that there are some variations of this plant with differences in leaves and blossoms - and I'd like to have some of each.
Deer love them - maybe that is the secret of how they stay so trimmed and thriving in their natural state.
I had thought about showing you the fruit that will come in the fall and perhaps you have seen a picture or two before.
But, just for now, here is the plant and its buds and blossoms.
The wait is always worth it.
Bless you with a happy heart!
Now, if someone would share from their stash of birdfoot violets ...
© tim www.timjohnsonphoto.com
