Euonymus japonicus Mikajo - Japanese Spindle

Euonymus japonicus Mikajo is a dwarf variety of Japanese Spindle with slow growth. In spring, this dwarf spindle produces young, very bright, cream-coloured leaves that contrast with the dark green foliage. In summer, this colour fades and disappears, and the shrub becomes entirely green again until the following spring. Its evergreen foliage and compact ball-shaped habit make it a great plant for container planting on a balcony. In open ground, it will adapt to most rich, fresh soils, as it is moderately hardy.

The Japanese Spindle belongs to the Celastraceae family, which is not very common in our gardens. It is native, as its name suggests, to Japan, but is also found in China and Korea. In the wild, this large shrub grows on slopes, in open areas, on the edge of forests, and even by the sea, where it can reach a height of 8 meters (26 feet 2 inches) and become a tree. Its hardiness is around -12 °C and its growth rate is quite slow.
The 'Mikajo' cultivar, with a much more compact development, also stands out for its foliage, which is coloured only part of the year, unlike many other variegated cultivars. In 'Mikajo', the young leaves that emerge at the end of branches in spring are of a very bright creamy colour. From a distance, they could almost be mistaken for flowers, especially if you choose to plant them in a beautiful decorative container, like a flowerpot. Then, green spots develop and eventually cover the entire surface of these leaves. In summer, the plant becomes entirely green again, with small ovate leaves measuring 3-4 cm (1.2-1.6 in) long forming a compact mass of a beautiful slightly shiny hue.
This subshrub can reach 60 cm (23.6 in) in all directions, it is truly a miniature plant. It can adapt to most soil types (except very acidic or lime-rich), as long as the soil is sufficiently moist, as it does not tolerate drought. It is best planted in full sun so that its spring colouration can be fully expressed. This small spindle is moderately hardy (maximum -10 °C), so it is advisable to choose a location sheltered from cold winds or a well-exposed wall in slightly cooler climates. In colder locations, it is preferable to plant it in a container so that it can be overwintered in a garage or cool room during freezing episodes.

Euonymus japonicus Mikajo will fully display its potential when planted in groups, to create attractive borders along a terrace or path. It is also very decorative when grown in a beautiful glazed pottery on a balcony or terrace. If it is integrated into a flowerbed, care must be taken not to plant vegetation with vigorous growth next to it, as it may suffocate the spindle. Ground cover perennials with reduced leaf size will be good companions, especially those that are proportionate to our spindle. Acaena inermis Purpurea, with its delicate, finely cut foliage that changes colour from pink to purple, will be a perfect choice. In golden tones, Lysimachia will also create an excellent colour contrast.