Euonymus oxyphyllus - Korean spindle tree

The Korean Spindle Tree, in Latin Euonymus oxyphyllus, is a deciduous bush appreciated for its remarkable autumn foliage, as well as its brightly coloured and long-lasting fruiting on its branches. With its natural habit and changing colours, this bush is attractive in a rustic or naturalistic setting. As easy to grow as our European Spindle Tree, it can be used in the same way to animate a hedge or a shrub bed. Its moderate growth is also suitable for small gardens.

The Euonymus oxyphyllus belongs to the family of Celastraceae, like all spindle trees. It is a botanical species native to Korea and Japan. Its habitat consists of woods and groves, in low-altitude mountains. It is a bush with fairly slow growth, with a bushy, wide, and spreading habit. Eventually, it reaches a height of between 2.50 m and 3 m with a spread of 2 to 3 m, depending on the growing conditions. Its deciduous foliage develops in spring. Its leaves are oval to elliptical, with toothed edges. They measure 4 to 10 cm long and 3 to 5 cm wide. Their colour is medium green, and then they turn shades of purple, brown, burgundy, and violet in October before falling. The flowering, in May, is quite discreet. It takes the form of small beige-pink flowers gathered in small clusters. After pollination by insects, unique and decorative fruits are formed. These are small round fruits, suspended at the end of long peduncles. Their cherry-red skin turns magenta, and then it opens into a star shape when ripe. At the end of each lobe, a large bright orange seed hangs. This fruiting is toxic to humans but sought after by some birds. Note that the wood of this spindle tree, both hard and elastic, is locally used in marquetry.

The Korean Spindle Tree is completely hardy and will thrive in a wide range of climates and soils, whether acidic or limestone. Once well-rooted, this bush is perfectly autonomous and resistant to drought. It will be beautiful in a free hedge or in a mixed shrub bed with other rustic bushes. To accompany it, choose, for example, Rosa glauca or Rosa moyesii Geranium for their colourful flowers and fruits, Cotinus coggygria Old Fashioned for its fantastic autumn colours, Viburnum Snowball, Amur Maple Bailey Compact... This Korean Spindle Tree will also be appreciated as a standalone plant in a small garden.