The burning bush growth rate falls in the moderate range at about 12 to 24 inches per year under good conditions. This speed lets young plants fill in nicely within a few seasons. Standard varieties can reach 15 to 20 feet tall and wide in about ten years of growth.
In my experience, how fast burning bush grows depends a lot on where you plant it in your yard. A shrub in full sun with good soil grew twice as fast as one I put in partial shade. Water and nutrients make a big difference in burning bush growth speed too.
Dwarf varieties grow much slower than the standard types do each growing season. Rudy Haag only adds about 6 to 8 inches per year even in perfect spots. Compactus sits in between and grows around 10 to 12 inches in a good year with proper care.
The burning bush size per year you see depends on the age of your plant as well. Young shrubs put on the most growth as they get settled into their new home. Older plants slow down once they reach their mature size and focus more on filling out.
Full sun gives your burning bush the best chance to grow at its fastest rate each year. The plant needs at least six hours of direct light daily to hit those top growth numbers. Shade slows growth and also hurts the fall color you plant this shrub to see.
Good soil helps roots spread fast and feed rapid top growth in your shrub. Add compost to clay or sandy soil before you plant to give roots better footing. A soil test can tell you if you need lime or sulfur to fix the pH level for best results.
Water plays a key role in how fast your burning bush grows during the first few years. Give your plant one inch of water per week during dry spells while it gets started. Once the roots spread out after two to three years, the shrub can handle drought better on its own.
Feed your burning bush once in early spring with a balanced slow release fertilizer for shrubs. One good feeding per year is all most plants need to keep growing well. Too much fertilizer can burn roots and push soft growth that pests and disease attack.
Pruning also affects how fast your plant fills out and reaches its full size over time. Light trimming in late winter shapes the shrub without slowing growth much at all. Hard pruning cuts growth back and delays the plant reaching full size by a year or more.
Read the full article: Burning Bush Plant Care and Growing Guide
