World Plants

Euonymus japonicus (Japanese Spindle Tree)

Michael's Opinion

Euonymus japonicus is a dense, rounded shrub native to Japan, Korea and China. The leaves of this shrub are a deep, waxy green, with bright pink fruit and clusters of white flowers give it a wonderful ornamental value. Able to grow in a wide range of temperatures, 2-8 m in height and 2-4 m wide, making it suitable as a hedge or a screen. Eating the leaves of this shrub is not wise as it is allegedly poisonous and is said to cause stomach problems if ingested.

Botanical Information

Family	Celastraceae
Genus	Euonymus
Species	japonicus
Category	Woody
Type	Shrub (evergreen)
Origin	Japan, Korea and China.
Ethnobotanical Uses Disclaimer	Lumber is used for manufacturing skewers and pegs. The wood is also used as charcoal by artists when the stem is undeveloped and soft. Allegedly poisonous causing stomach issues if ingested.
Pronunciation

Details

USDA Hardiness Zone	7 - 10
USDA Hardiness Ref.
Canadian Hardiness Zone	Requires cool season protection under glass.
Canada Hardiness Ref.
RHS Hardiness Zone	H2 - H6
RHS Hardiness Ref.
Temperature (°C)	-18 - 4
Temperature (°F)	0 - 40
Height	2 - 8 m
Spread	2 - 4 m
Growth	Fast
Flowering Period	June, July

Description and Growing Information

General Description	A dense shrub, its foliage and fruit proves to be appealing to the eye.
Shape	This shrub is oval to rounded in shape, with a spherical crown and dense foliage.
Landscape	Used as an ornamental, hedge or screen.
Propagation	It can be propagated by seed but is most often propagated by cuttings.
Cultivation	It is salt tolerant, but prefers a medium-textured soil with medium fertility and good drainage. An abundance of organic matter in the soil is preferred, and plants that are established should be fertilized every 3-4 months.
Pests	Scale, silk leaf boxwood larvae and crown gall.
Notable Specimens	Centennial Conservatory, Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada.
Habitat	Scrubland, forest borders and wastelands.
Bark/Stem Description	The bark is glabrous and appears to be wrinkled when the plant is dry.
Flower/Leaf Bud Description	The buds are imbricated and conical.
Leaf Description	Leaves are serrulate, and are placed opposite on the stem. They can be obovate or narrowly elliptic and are 3 - 6 cm long and 2 - 3 cm wide.
Flower Description	The flowers are inconspicuous, appearing in clusters, each bloom carrying 4 petals. They are 6 - 10 mm in length, and are arranged in an axillary pattern.
Fruit Description	The fruit is globose in shape, 4 celled, and approximately 1 cm in diameter.
Colour Description	Bark is green. Buds are green, but will develop into a red colour in autumn. Foliage is a waxy, deep green, turning yellow in the spring. Dark pink fruit with orange pulp. Flowers are white. Seeds are brown to orange.
Texture Description	Medium, leaves a leathery texture. Bark is smooth.