Japanese Spindle Tree
Euonymus japonicus · Evergreen Broadleaf
Plant Family
Celastraceae
Tree Category
Ornamental Shrub/Small Tree
Variety / Cultivar
Presumed Ovatus Aureus (Golden Japanese Spindle) or Aureomarginatus based on the yellow-gold variegation.
Hardiness Zones
USDA Zones 6-9; very well-suited to the RHS H4 classification in Ireland and the UK, tolerating temperatures down to -10°C.
About This Tree
An upright, dense, and bushy evergreen that can be grown as a large shrub or trained into a small decorative tree. It features glossy, variegated foliage and a resilient, rounded growth habit.
Leaf Characteristics
Simple, leathery, and oval-shaped leaves with finely serrated margins. Variegation typically features bright gold or yellow centers/edges with dark green. Arranged in opposite pairs.
Bark Characteristics
Young stems are green or yellow and smooth, becoming greyish-brown and slightly fissured with age. Branches can be remarkably supple.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Japan, Korea, and China; widely adapted to coastal Western Europe including Ireland and the UK.
Growing Season
Year-round evergreen foliage. Small, inconspicuous greenish-white flowers appear in late spring to early summer, followed by pinkish capsules with orange seeds in autumn.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full sun to partial shade (bright light maintains best variegation). Moderate water needs; grows best in well-drained soil and is highly drought-tolerant once established.
Mature Size
Typically reaches 2-4 meters in height with a spread of 1.5-2.5 meters. Average growth rate is moderate (20-30cm per year).
Special Characteristics
Excellent salt tolerance makes it ideal for coastal gardens. Resilient to urban pollution and heavy pruning; often used for hedging or topiary.
Wildlife & Ecology
The small flowers provide nectar for bees and hoverflies. The autumn fruit is sometimes eaten by birds, and the dense evergreen foliage provides valuable year-round nesting cover for small birds.
Notes
East Coast of Ireland