I kind of doubt you'll find anyone recommending a Euonymus alatus (the species most commonly referred to as a "burning bush"), since that species is an invasive (environmentally damaging) plant in your state! There are many alternatives. Your state's extension office provides the following recommendations in a published list of invasive alternatives: Euonymus americanus (hearts-a-bustin, American strawberry bush) Itea virginica (Virginia sweetspire) Rhus copallina v. latifolia 'Morton' (Prairie Flame shining sumac) Viburnum dentatum (arrowwood viburnum) Euonymus atropurpureus (eastern wahoo, sometimes also called burning bush) If any of these interest you, you may want to research their appropriateness for your application (climate, size, soil conditions, etc, etc). Your local extension office might also provide valuable input about alternatives that would work well for your local (your county) conditions.

Rhus copallina 'Prairie Flame' will perform as required in the situation described. It will take time to "fill in" if density is a requirement, but it is not so vigorous a plant as will defy mowing. It is not so vigorous as to prevent other things from growing with it either - so, if you want a "pure stand" you might have to do some weeding or discouragement of other plants volunteering amongst it as it get established. I am quite happy with my stand of 'Prarie Flame', which I have been growing for almost 10 years on extremely poor quality B/C horizon droughty clay soils.

Prairie Flame is a good, smaller version of Rhus copallina with very good fall color and glossy foliage. It sounds like a great choice for the area you described. As it is grown for its foliage and fall color and not it fruit I would not worry about a female.

Anyone growing Rhus copallina var. latifolia 'Morton'? I have a hillside of white pines with an adjacent 30' x 30' grass opening. The grass on this hillside is now dead thanks to the drought and the hot location. I'm considering replacing the dead sod with 'Prairie Flame' Shining Sumac. I want it to look somewhat naturalized and massed with the added benefit of not having to mow the hillside. Does this particular sumac behave itself so that mowing where I want to maintain a foot path at the bottom of the hill will be all that's require to keep it within bounds. And secondly, will I need to grow something under this plant to prevent erosion and suppress weeds. If so , what would you recommend. I mostly do native plants in my yard, but I'm not opposed to adding a few non-natives to increase design possibilities especially when it comes to lower maintenance and function.