Euonymus phellomanus Silver Surprise

Euonymus phellomanus 'Silver Surprise' is a rare form of Chinese spindle tree, quite difficult to find outside of botanical gardens. This cultivar is characterised by its compact growth and beautiful cream-white variegated foliage with a silvery sheen. Like the species, this deciduous shrub also charms with its remarkable intense pink fruiting and autumn colours. This spindle tree deserves a prominent place, in front of evergreen foliage or as a standalone in a small garden.

Euonymus phellomanus 'Silver Surprise' is a horticultural selection. The species, known as Chinese cork tree, grows in the open forests of the Chinese mountains. It is a small tree from the Celastraceae family, known and appreciated for its "winged" branches, covered with cork that develops flat in 4 directions. In the 'Silver Surprise' cultivar, this characteristic is much less pronounced. The shrub, with a rather slow growth, has a more or less upright habit, sometimes a bit irregular. At the age of 12, it will reach 1.50 m in height and spread. From spring onwards, it bears very decorative foliage, glossy, spotted, bordered, and variegated with white on a green background. Its leaves are ovate, often slightly twisted, with small teeth along the edges, measuring 6 to 10 cm long and 2 to 3 cm wide. This deciduous foliage changes colour in autumn before falling. Fairly insignificant flowering in April, in small clusters of pale green-yellow, gives way in autumn to a stunning intense pink fruiting that opens to reveal bright orange seeds. The fruits are toxic but sought after by some birds.

Completely hardy, Euonymus phellomanus 'Silver Surprise' will thrive in ordinary garden soil, well-drained, not too dry or too wet. It will be suitable for full sun or partial shade. Plant it in the centre of a small bed of perennials (hellebores, heucheras, geraniums...) or in front of evergreen shrubs that will provide a beautiful backdrop for its foliage (mahonias, boxwoods, laurel, holly...).