Euonymus alatus Compactus - Winged Spindle

The Compact Winged Euonymus is a deciduous bush with a compact habit, dazzling at the end of the season. Few bushes combine such an accommodating character with an autumnal adornment. Initially a rather ordinary green until late summer, its small leaves ignite with the first frost in a flaming red, turn purple, then fade to pink and beige before falling. Its unremarkable green flowers in spring have metamorphosed into characteristic ornamental berries, pink and orange. Winter reveals its branches, curiously adorned with small thin strips resembling wings, a feature that earned it the name Winged Euonymus. Easy to incorporate into a shrub border, a low hedge, a small garden, or even a large container, this bush, which adds tremendous charm to the late season, will not disappoint.

Native to Asia, specifically central and northern China, Japan, and Korea. It belongs to the Celastraceae family. This beautiful bush, reaching a height of 1m (3.2ft) and a width of 1.20m (3.9ft), has slow growth and is perfectly hardy. The spherical habit is compact, bushy, spreading, highly branched, supported by branches adorned with 4 prominent and thin corky bands. The deciduous, opposite, ovate, simple leaves, measuring 5 to 8cm (3.1in) in length, are serrated and range from medium green to darker green in summer, turning a brilliant dark red in autumn. In October, an insignificant flowering of small white-greenish flowers gives way to highly decorative red-purple berries, measuring 1cm (0.4in) in diameter, containing a toxic orange seed.

Thanks to its naturally compact form, the Compact Winged Euonymus will find its place in a shrub or perennial border, contrasting well with bronze fennel, blue or mauve asters, barberries, conifers (junipers, cypresses, dwarf cypresses), or variegated hollies. In a small group, it catches the eye in autumn, adding depth to the garden or brightening a slightly dark corner. In a mixed hedge, it can accompany the other deciduous euonymus, Euonymus europeus Red Cascade, Persian Ironwood, smoke bushes, dyer's madder. Alternate with shrubs that flower in spring or summer for a continuous display.

Tip: In case of drought, water to maintain beautiful foliage. This highly tolerant bush withstands hot and dry summers much better than many species known to be drought-resistant, provided it has a sufficiently deep, clayey soil.