There are some people who contend planting a tree is good no matter what tree it is; others who’ve studied ecology counter that, in fact, you could do more harm than good by planting invasive non-native trees.
My son, the future ecologist, is in the second camp. For Arbor Day (a day late since I was in town and busy all day yesterday), I’d like to feature one of his favorite plants, which is more of bush than a tree, but close enough: the Eastern Wahoo.
Here’s what Horticulture magazine had to say about it (bold is my emphasis):
Wahoo (Euonymus atropurpureus) is an excellent North American native. An alternative to the invasive burning bush (Euonymus alatus), this tough plant can be managed as a small specimen tree (30 by 30 feet) or as a thicket/hedge (9 to 12 feet) for privacy with renewal pruning. It can grow in full sun to partial shade and in wet to dry soils. This makes it an excellent candidate for rain gardens that are occasionally flooded. The late spring flowers are a deep maroon; they are small but stunning on close examination. The fall color is a delicate pink. Once the foliage drops, the red fruits inside light pink capsules will stop traffic. Seeds are a preferred bird food during winter months. USDA Zones 4–9.
Native range: Eastern half of North America
Excellent post Teresa
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Interesting info. Had not given much thought to the effect of certain plantings, but definitely something to think about. Great post, Teresa.
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I have never heard of an Eastern Wahoo. Sounds beautiful! Lovely drawing too, Teresa! 😍 The name of your plant sounds like it could be one of my imaginary birds – do you mind if I use it? 🐦😊🎨
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LOL! Please use it…it’ll be funny and I don’t own the name! 😉
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I get an earful about ecology since both hubby and son are into it. 🙂 Thanks!
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This is beautiful! So happy you did this day! 😍And the name alone makes it the most awesome plant in the world! hehe
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Good point, Tee!
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Beautifully and delicately rendered, Teresa. Well done! ❤
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Thanks for sharing Teresa!
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I like to yell “WAHOO” whenever we walk by the ones on our property. 😆 Yes, I’m strange!
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Thanks, Yvette!
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Thank you for checking it out, Sharon!
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Aww, thanks, Laura! 💕
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Wait…that’s strange? I’d totally do that! Guess that’s why we’re friends! Lol
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Hahaha! I can see P and my family rolling their eyes at us! 😆
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Naming something a wahoo is a good marketing strategy. 😉 I’d love to find a similar plant for our neck of the woods.
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…and it has a great name! Your son gives me hope for the future! (K)
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That’s a nice watercolor. I even like your handwriting. It’s artistic rather than catastrophic like mine. 🙂
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Great post and lovely painting. The Easter Wahoo sounds like a fun plant…and a fun name to say.
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Beautiful painting, Teresa! 🙂 And such a great name. And it has traffic-stopping berries! Really??? I bet your bushes like that you call them by name (I, erm, eavesdropped on you and Charlie). I rarely talk to plants but I occasionally say hi to Robbie the robin, Magz the magpie and Squeerel the squirrel.
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Hahaha! I only talk to plants when I yell at them for not producing enough or any fruits for me! 😉 I’m a mean person. Your names are hilarious!
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It is, Haunani! Thanks!
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Thanks so much, Kerfe! ❤
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You??? Lol! I’m sure you sweet talk them. But it is funny to imagine you waking up in a foul mood and yelling at all the under-producers in your garden :-). My husband is squirrel proofing the balcony (protecting his little cilantro plants)… nails are now sticking out of every inch of the porch railing. I wonder if Wilma will come up with a creative solution?
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Hahaha! I love that your husband is as crazy as I am! Squirrels are crafty though. I’d watch out for Wilma!
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Oh, I can’t believe that! 😀
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I doubt any botanist is a good marketing strategist…hahaha!
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Ask your nephew for recommendations for plants.
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Pingback: The Eastern Wahoo Bird | Jill's Art Journal
Um, yeah, she just walks between the nails. And our cat too :-D. Thanks for the firmoss update. Cute! And I hope the mouse follows where the butterfly feels like going… like walking a cat :-D. And I hope your writing is going well. One of these days I’ll figure out how to get the Kindle app on my phone so I can read some of your stories.
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You are so very sweet, Myriam! 💕
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