Euonymus japonicus Pierrolino - Japanese Spindle

Euonymus japonicus 'Pierrolino' is a variety of Japanese Spindle Tree of small size, forming a neat, round bush, remarkable for its young cream-coloured leaves during budbreak, quickly turning mottled white with dark green before heavily marbling with green. Evergreen, this adorable little bush brightens up rock gardens, forms an original and refined border, or decorates the terrace even in the middle of winter. It will thrive in light shade, in ordinary soil, even chalky, as long as it is moist.

The Japanese Spindle Tree belongs to the Celastraceae family. It originates, as its name suggests, from Japan. But it is also found in China and Korea. In the wild, this large bush grows on slopes, in open areas on the edge of forests, and even on the seaside where it can reach a height of 8 m (26 ft 2 in) and become a tree. Its hardiness is around -12°C (10.4 °F), and its growth is quite slow.

The 'Pierrolino' cultivar, with very slow growth, shows an extremely reduced development that will rarely exceed 30 cm (11.8 in) in all directions, especially if pruned every spring. Its habit is naturally very dense and bushy, distinctly rounded. Well-branched from the base, its upright branches bear dense young foliage, composed of shiny, leathery, and rigid leaves, cream-colored during budbreak. They develop by lightening to white, while mottles and marbling of dark green appear on the lamina, becoming increasingly intense. The leaves, shiny, are lanceolate to ovate in shape, irregular, serrated at the edge, and slightly undulate.

The Euonymus japonicus Pierrolino is precious for providing a permanent structure of low flowerbeds and particularly contributing to terrace decor. Its variegated foliage enhances the look of flowers and is ideal for the semi-shaded areas of the garden. Well adapted to seaside and urban gardens, the Japanese Spindle Tree Pirrolino can be used to create low growing hedges along paths or terraces. It can be planted alone or with robust ground covers such as Teucrium chamaedrys, adorned with a few Erigeron karvinskianus plants and Acanthus Whitewater, with beautifully variegated foliage and soft pink flower spikes.

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