Maybe Euonymus alatus - Winged Euonymus.

Here's an article from Northscaping about it - describes the stems as having four prominent wings running the length of the branches which are very unusual to look at and which trap snow well in winter.
http://www.northscaping.com/InfoZone/FS-0012/FS-0012.shtml

Do the stems look like this?

Here is a link that might be useful: {{gwi:736977}}

That's it, thanks Pudge! I don't recall it having intense fall colour, but it is in shade and the article mentions that can subdue the fall colour. Or maybe I just don't remember. This house came with some really interesting shrubs and trees. Seems like they went to the nursery every year and bought one of whatever was new.

I envy you Gil, you obviously have a sheltered microclimate garden to be able to grow a Burning Bush!
Just think of all the potential of growing other border line hardy plants!

Sharon

Sharon, I didn't even realize they are tender, but you're right, they are listed as Zone 4. It's right next to the house at the front door facing southeast. I read that they like acid soils, and there is a very old spruce tree towering over it.

The thing that has me ripping my hair out right now is that all parts of my yard seem to get 4-5 hours of sun, on and off during the day. One small patch in the south corner is full sun and has all my roses in. But I just can't get my head around exactly how much sun hits all the other parts of the yard, and where the heck I am supposed to plant my new climbing roses. Arrgh.

I wish I had more shade in my garden, that's what IÂve been working on the north side of the house, I figure in 15 years I should have enough mature trees and shrubs in that particular area to grow shade loving plants successfully ;)

Just think of all the shade plants you can grow! Ferns, Hostas, Astible, Ligularia, Siberian Irises, Tradescantia, Violets, Martagon Lilies, etc. Trilliums, Tricyrtis, Foxgloves and Japanese Irises will probably be hardy for you since you can grow a Burning Bush!

But yes, its also great to have full sun for sun-loving plants....Is there a tree you can chop down for more sun back there?

Sharon

If you're having trouble knowing exactly how much sun certain areas of your garden are getting, I noticed that Lee Valley has a thing that looks a bit like a sun dial that you stick in the ground and it will give a read out of whether that spot is full sun, part sun, part shade or shade. Might be worth a try if you have some areas that are hard to tell.

I didn't realize that Eunonymus alatus was rated zone 4 and the two i have in the front bed aren't entirely sure themselves. :)

Redpeony - that sounds like just what I need, thanks, I will keep an eye out for it next time I go to LVT. Sharon, I don't think I can cut down any trees, they are very huge and old. Colorado Blue Spruce look shabby when they get to 75+ feet but somehow they don't deserve cutting down.