There has always been a bit of reluctance about using botanical names when talking about a plant or shrub. The problem is that common names can get you into trouble just a little bit too often. This week a common name ‘oops’ became apparent, and although it is not major oops, we now have to figure out what to do.

The problem started a year or two ago when I saw a shrub called ‘Hearts a-busting’.  A quick internet search led me to the name Euonymus americanus.  I went off and purchased 6 of these for the long driveway. Between deer and careless mowing crew I am now down to just 3. Two showed the developing seed today, and that is where the difference became apparent – this one is like a little strawberry, and very different from the remnant shrub we have on the property.

The common name strawberry bush is another name for the E. americanus and that is definately what I planted. The other guy is another E. europaeus or spindle tree.

I will have to wait and see what the final seed is like. The spindle tree has little red berries with white caps.