Euonymus japonicus Kathy - Japanese Spindle

The Euonymus japonicus 'Kathy' is a superb variety of Japanese Spindle, with evergreen foliage margined with cream-white that brings life to the garden all year round, even in winter. With a bushy and compact growing habit, this bush allows for beautiful informal hedges and bright backgrounds for flower beds! It can be grown in the ground as well as in containers, in sunny or lightly shaded areas, in ordinary soil, even limestone, as long as it remains moist.

The Japanese Spindle belongs to the Celastraceae family and as the name suggests, is native to Japan. But it is also found in China and Korea. In the wild, this large bush grows on slopes, in open areas at the edge of forests, and even by the sea where it can reach a height of 8 m (26 ft). It has a hardiness of around -12°C (10°F) and relatively slow growth. The cultivar 'Kathy', with a more compact growth, is also distinguished by its small green leaves finely margined with cream-white. In our gardens, it will reach an average height of 1.50 m (4 ft 11 in) with a spread of 1.50 m (4 ft 11 in), possibly more if not regularly pruned. Its habit is naturally dense and bushy, rather rounded. Well-branched from the base, its upright branches bear dense foliage composed of shiny, leathery, and stiff leaves, dark green in the center of the lamina with white-cream margins. They are oval in shape, measuring 3 - 5 cm (1 - 2 in) in length, with finely toothed edges. The inconspicuous flowering occurs in May-June, at the tips of the new shoots. Tiny white-greenish flowers with 4 petals are clustered together. They are pollinated by insects and are followed by the formation of small green fruits that turn pink and orange in autumn, hanging from the branches.

Euonymus japonicus 'Kathy' is useful for creating medium-sized persistent hedges, either free-growing or occasionally pruned. It can also be used in the composition of shrub beds by playing with contrasts with bronze fennel, barberries, or even bush or ground cover roses. At the back of flower beds, its variegated foliage enhances all flowering and works wonders in semi-shaded areas of the garden. Well adapted to coastal areas and urban gardens, the Japanese Spindle 'Kathy' is often used to create hedges along paths or property boundaries to protect them from wind and prying eyes. It adapts well to container cultivation, which can be placed on the terrace or balcony.