Euonymus japonicus Aureus - Japanese Spindle

The Euonymus japonicus Aureus is a particularly bright and colourful variety of Japanese Spindle, with beautiful evergreen foliage that is cream-yellow, strongly margined with green throughout the year, even in winter. It allows for the creation of dense and vibrant evergreen hedges and elegant topiaries for the terrace. This bush can be grown in full sun or partial shade, in ordinary, moist soil, even chalk.

The Japanese Spindle belongs to the Celastraceae family. As its name suggests, it is native to Japan, but it can also be found in China and Korea. In the wild, this large bush grows on slopes, in open areas on the edge of forests, and even by the sea where it can reach a height of 8m (26.2ft) and become a tree. It is hardy to about -12°C (10.4°F) and its growth rate is quite slow.

The 'Aureus' cultivar, with a more compact growth habit, is also distinguished by its variegated foliage of yellow and green, with the variegation inverted in comparison to the 'Aureomarginatus' variety. In our gardens, it will reach an average height of 2m (6.6ft) with a spread of 1.50m (3.3ft), and even more if not regularly pruned. Its habit is naturally bushy and rather upright. Well-branched from the base, its upright branches bear dense foliage composed of glossy leaves that are yellow in the centre of the irregularly green-bordered surface. They are oval-shaped, measuring 3 to 5cm (2in) in length, with finely dentate margins. The inconspicuous flowering occurs in May-June at the tips of the young 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 under the branches.

The Euonymus japonicus Aureus, traditionally used to create medium-sized evergreen hedges, can also be used in shrub borders to create contrasts with dark Physocarpus, barberries, or even bush or groundcover roses. Its variegated foliage compliments all types of flowering plants and works well in partially shaded areas of the garden. Well-suited to coastal areas and urban gardens, the Japanese Spindle is often used to create hedges along pathways or property boundaries to protect against wind and prying eyes. It adapts well to container gardening, which can be placed on the terrace or balcony, and it responds well to pruning. Its height will be less significant in pots, allowing the gardener to experiment with topiary art.

Tip: In case of drought, water to maintain beautiful foliage.