Japanese Spindle
(Euonymus japonicus 'Ovatus Aureus')

The Euonymus Japanese Spindle has wide, oval leaves with deep-green centres, that then fade into a lighter green, and further into a bright yellow around the edges. You will find that young leaves are a nice golden, yellow colour.

In the summer, you are treated with some elegant, pale green flowers, which are sometimes then followed by pink fruits during the Autumn. Bearing that in mind, most people will actually buy the Euonymus japonicus ‰ۡÌÝÌáOvatus Aureus‰ۡó» for decorative purposes, due to its stunning colours and evergreen attributes. It has the possibility to brighten up any garden.

The Euonymus Japanese Spindle is also popular for its toleration to all sorts of positions. This includes cold, coastal, exposed, and windy sites. It is also suitable to plant in many soils, except very wet, and it will provide the best possible variegation when it is grown in full sun- though you can still plant in semi-shade. Either way, this is quite a handy, durable plant.

• Growth height: Average (20-40cm per year)
• Ideal height: 1.2m-2.5m Medium
• Soil Type: Normal
• Exposure: Coastal, Inland, Sheltered
• Aspect: Semi-shade, Sun
• Evergreen foliage? Yes

Your Euonymus Japanese Spindle can grow up to 2m, but it can also be kept at a smaller height due to its high tolerance to generous trimming. To keep it looking lovely and bushy, trim the main leading shoots in May, and then tidy it up further in September.

When should I plant Japanese Spindle hedging?

We recommend planting Japanese Spindle plants during autumn, when the weather is a little cooler and damper.

How far apart do you plant Japanese Spindle plants?

Similarly, to other Euonymus varieties, Japanese Spindle should be planted around 25-35cm apart, to encourage a lush, bushy hedge.

How to plant Japanese Spindle:

Begin by removing any weeds or rocks etc., from your planting area. Then go on to digging a hole that is about twice as wide as the root ball, but the same depth. Break the soil up a bit using your spade, around the sides and bottom, to prevent soil compaction. Replace around 2 inches of soil.

Take your Japanese Spindle plant out from its pot, removing any dead roots you can see, and loosen the root ball up a little - this will encourage them to spread out and establish further.

Place the plant into the hole and make sure the base (bottom of stem) is around 2 inches above ground level. Backfill the hole with the excess soil and press down gently but firmly to secure the plant.

Finish off by giving the plant a very good watering around the base. You will need to water on a regular, weekly basis, and more so during dry spells/summer. Watering enough is very important as it encourages the roots to grow and develop, therefore influencing the shrub's establishment.