Euonymus obovatus, commonly known as Running Strawberry Bush, is a deciduous, perennial groundcover plant native to rich, deciduous forests and the understory of woodlands in the eastern United States and southeastern Canada. It typically grows to a height of 6-12 inches (15-30 cm) with a spreading habit that can cover a significant area, making it an effective groundcover. The plant features distinctive green stems and oval to obovate leaves that turn a reddish-purple in the fall, adding seasonal interest to the landscape. The small, inconspicuous greenish-yellow flowers bloom in late spring to early summer, followed by showy, warty, bright red fruits resembling strawberries, which persist into winter and are attractive to birds and wildlife.

Running Strawberry Bush is valued for its low maintenance, tolerance of a range of soil conditions, and its ability to thrive in part shade to full shade, making it an excellent choice for woodland gardens, shaded borders, and naturalized areas. It is also useful for erosion control on slopes due to its spreading habit. While it prefers moist, well-drained soils rich in organic matter, it can adapt to drier conditions once established. Gardeners should be aware that Euonymus obovatus can be susceptible to euonymus scale, an insect pest that can cause significant damage if not controlled.CC BY-SA 4.0