Dwarf Burning Bush? A pleasant glow or a wildfire out of control?

[kstrong]

I don't know about the dwarf variety--though I'm definitely going to have to look for it--but I had the regular variety growing in the semi-to-mostly-shade on my old line back east, and they were great plants. Because they were somewhat starved for sunlight, they grew rather slowly, but provided some beautiful fall color as the leaves turned.

While on the subject of "new" dwarf varieties, I bought two "Dwarf Dogwoods" at Lowes the other day. Like the dwarf burning bush, they're reputed to grow to between 2 - 3 feet tall, with white flowers in the spring and red leaves in the fall. Their leaves are a bit larger than the burning bush--at around 1 - 1 1/4" long, but that's still not that bad in the grand scheme of things. Time will tell, but they certainly sound neat.

Later,

K

[vsmith]

Sheesh, I read the title and I thought it was about Mini-Me setting fire to Dubya's leg or something...man I gotta stop reading these things so early in the AM....

That does raise an interesting question...if Verne Troyer (Mini-Me) did set Georges slack's ablaze..would it be a pleasant glow.... or a wildfire out of control?

[:P]

[Capt Bob Johnson]

Jeez Jennifer, when I saw the heading I thought you were going to tell us all about how you made a tree out of wire and some sort of flameproof foilage, mounted it on a salvaged BBQ burner, and fueled it with propane! I was going to suggest some stone tablets to go with it!

Now that I'm done being a smart a__, I'd say to go for it! You can always remove it after a year or so if it does not do what you want! If all else fails you can take a blowtorch and make it a real burning bush! I'd suspect that with annual root pruning and seasonal top pruning you could keep it rather compact for several years!

[jzmsvm]

Howdy!
I was at a local home improvement store this weekend wandering through the garden section, hoping something might catch my eye. I've been looking for "trees" to add to my layout that aren't too expensive in case I kill them off accidently. Saw a couple spruce and other evergreens but really want something that looks like a oak or maple or some such.
The Dwarf Burning Bush looks promising. It has a single trunk, rounded shape and small leaves. The tag said it growns 3 to 5 feet tall but I think if you plant them in sawed off pots it will stunt their growth. A plus is it turns color in the fall, like a real tree. Anyone ever use this plant? Will it grow out of control and "burn down my layout" or will it be just what I hoped, a warm comforting glow in my landscape?
In case it matters, I am in zone 5. The area it will be planted it full sun and dry. Thanks, guys! As usual I appreciate all the advice and thoughts.
Jennifer