Japanese Spindle: the Most Beautiful Varieties
For a stunning effect!
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The Japanese spindle (Euonymus japonicus) is a beautiful bush with an upright and bushy habit that owes its popularity mainly to the ornamental, lush, and dense appearance of its foliage, while its flowering and fruiting are rather discreet. Today, there are many varieties of evergreen spindle, each as elegant as the next, showcasing foliage that is either solid in green tones, sometimes greyish, or variegated with white, cream, or golden yellow. Very often used to create evergreen hedges along driveways or property boundaries as a privacy screen, the Japanese spindle also adds a splash of colour to shrub borders, rockeries, as a standalone, in pots, and even in topiary. Indeed, it responds well to pruning, although this should be light in spring. With a relatively slow growth rate, it is hardy down to -12/-15°C at most, thriving in full sun or partial shade, always sheltered from cold winds. Note that by the sea, it tolerates sea spray, and in urban areas, it is not affected by pollution. So, let yourself be tempted by this bush that thrives in all cool soils, even calcareous ones. Come and discover our selection of 7 Japanese spindles with magnificent foliage. There’s something for everyone!
Euonymus japonicus 'Aureomarginatus'
The Japanese spindle ‘Aureomarginatus’ is a large bush ideal for solitary planting on a lawn, in a pot on a terrace, or as a privacy hedge. With an average height of 2 m and about 1.5 m wide, this evergreen bush forms a dense shrub. Its branches are covered with bright foliage, dark green strongly marginate with vivid yellow. It is a beautiful decorative element that brightens up gardens. Tolerating light pruning, it allows for topiary. In autumn, the evergreen foliage of Euonymus japonicus ‘Aureomarginatus’ is adorned with fruits, first green, then pink and orange. This spindle can be planted in full sun or partial shade, but its radiant variegation is more beautiful and pronounced in sunny conditions.
Euonymus japonicus ‘Aureomarginatus’ (photo by David J. Stang – Wikimedia)
Euonymus japonicus 'Aureus'
The Japanese spindle ‘Aureus’ is one of the most beautiful varieties with golden foliage! With a bushy and upright silhouette in a golden hue, this cultivar is truly striking. This medium-sized bush, reaching about 1.5 m in height and 1 m in diameter at ripeness, is adorned with strongly variegated leaves. The medium green leaves are marked with a central spot of intense yellow. Bright and cheerful, it adds sparkle to the garden during the winter season. Sunny or semi-shaded locations suit it well, but it is at its best in full sun. This golden and bushy spindle can be used in low hedges, as well as a solitary plant. The Euonymus japonicus ‘Aureus’ also produces fruits in autumn.
Euonymus japonicus ‘Aureus’ (photo by Leonara Enking – Flickr)
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Available in 3 sizes
Available in 3 sizes
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Available in 2 sizes
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Available in 2 sizes
Available in 2 sizes
Available in 2 sizes
Euonymus japonicus 'Benkomasaki'
Very graphic, the Japanese spindle ‘Benkomasaki’ stretches its branches vertically up to 1.7 m in height. Its leaves are evergreen, tinted with a glossy green and are inserted in a regular and geometric manner on the branches, thus giving a modern look to this spindle. The columnar habit of this evergreen bush easily fits into a minimalist decor. Easy to grow and maintain, it performs well in a large pot, which should be sheltered from cold winds and severe frosts. This cultivar is sometimes found under the names ‘Erecta’, ‘Green Rocket’, or ‘Benkomoki’. We should also mention its valuable cousin, the Euonymus japonicus ‘White Spire’, which erects green leafy columns edged in white.
Euonymus japonicus ‘Benkomasaki’
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Spindle: which variety to choose?Euonymus japonicus 'Paloma Blanca'
Among the small formats, the Japanese spindle ‘Paloma Blanca’ is ideal for small spaces. This compact variety grows up to 50 cm tall and spreads up to 30 cm wide. This charming evergreen bush is valued for its contrasting foliage. Its upright branches display dark leaves at their base, tinged with deep green. Then, at their tips, the young leaves burst forth in brilliant pure white! Even though the juvenile shoots eventually turn green during the year, this Japanese spindle remains irresistible. Due to its small size, Euonymus japonicus ‘Paloma Blanca’ is particularly recommended for pots, to enhance terraces and balconies in partial shade. This Dutch cultivar is also used in miniature hedges, for example, to border a pathway.
Euonymus japonicus ‘Paloma Blanca’
Euonymus japonicus 'Pierrolino'
Very similar to the Japanese spindle tree ‘Paloma Blanca’, the Japanese spindle tree ‘Pierrolino’ is a recent dwarf cultivar. With a bushy and rounded habit, it does not exceed 30 cm in any direction. Its tuft of leaves is remarkably tidy. This variety develops a bicoloured green and white foliage. At their bud burst period, the young leaves at the tips of the branches reveal a creamy hue. Quickly, they turn completely white and then show dark green speckles and marbling. Having a beautiful effect in partial shade, the impeccable Euonymus japonicus ‘Pierrolino’ is an effective element for structuring perennial beds, edging pathways, and brightening rockeries. Due to its small size, it is also excellent for low hedges and in pots.
Euonymus japonicus ‘Pierrolino’
Euonymus japonicus 'Bravo'
The Japanese spindle ‘Bravo’ looks stunning in its beautiful bicolour habit. This variety features superb variegated foliage. This evergreen bush has a dense and well-ramified habit. Its branches can reach up to 2 m high, or more, and spread up to 1.50 m. The leaves, ovate, finely dentate, and leathery, are tinted dark green and grey-green, strongly marginate with cream-white to pale yellow. In the garden, Euonymus japonicus ‘Bravo’ stands out in partially shaded green settings, where it is useful as a hedge or at the back of a border due to its large size.
Euonymus japonicus ‘Bravo’
Euonymus japonicus 'Microphyllus Albovariegatus'
Not exceeding 90 cm in all dimensions at ripeness, the Japanese spindle ‘Microphyllus Albovariegatus’ boasts beautiful features. Firstly, this cultivar displays delicately variegated dark green foliage: the edges of the leaves are finely highlighted by a thin white line. This adds a great deal of refinement to this Japanese spindle. With its small lanceolate and elongated leaves, Euonymus japonicus ‘Microphyllus Albovariegatus’ is a good alternative plant to replace boxwood. For gardeners experimenting with topiary, it integrates effortlessly into a French garden, as a hedge or as a standalone sculpture.
Euonymus japonicus ‘Microphyllus Albovariegatus’
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