Euonymus japonicus explained

Euonymus japonicus (evergreen spindle or Japanese spindle) is a species of flowering plant in the family Celastraceae, native to Japan and Korea.^{[1] [2]}

Description

Euonymus japonicus is an evergreen shrub or small tree growing to 30NaN0 tall, with opposite, oval leaves 3– long, more usually 6– long, with finely serrated margins towards the end of the leaves. The flowers are inconspicuous, greenish-white, 5–6 mm (0.2 in) across. The fruit capsule is brown, or yellow- to red-brown. The seeds have an orange-red aril.

Euonymus japonicus is very similar to Euonymus fortunei, particularly in cultivation. In the wild, E. japonicus has an erect habit, whereas E. fortunei is climbing or procumbent.

Taxonomy

Euonymus japonicus was first described by Carl Peter Thunberg in 1780. A large number of varieties and forms have been named, none of which were accepted by Plants of the World Online .

Horticultural cultivars

Euonymus japonicus is a popular ornamental plant for parks and gardens, both in its native area and also in Europe and North America. In particular the numerous cultivars which have been selected (often with variegated or yellow leaves) are widely grown in all soil types in sun or shade. Some of the more distinctive cultivars are:

• 'Albomarginatus' – leaves green, narrowly margined white
• 'Aureo-marginatus' – also called "Golden Euonymus", variegated green and butter yellow leaves^[3]
• 'Bravo' – green and creamy-yellow variegated leaves, upright habit
• 'Chollipo'^[4]
• 'Green Spire' – evergreen columnar narrow shrub
• 'Kathy' – green and white variegated, broad leaves, shorter growing than most
• 'Latifolius Albomarginatus' – green leaves with broad white margin
• 'Ovatus Aureus'^[5]
• 'President Gauthier' – dark green and creamy-white variegated leaves, slightly more lax habit than others
• 'Susan'^[6] – dark green leaves, narrowly marginated creamy-white

(those marked have gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit)^[7]

Notes and References

1. Phillips, R. and Rix, M., "Shrubs", Macmillan, 1989, p271
2. Book: Thunberg, Carl Peter . 1784 . Flora Japonica sistens plantas insularum japonicarum . Leipzig . XLIII and 100.
3. Web site: Golden Euonymus Care: Growing Golden Euonymus Shrubs In The Garden. Gardening Know How. Spengler. Teo. January 2, 2021.
4. Web site: RHS Plant Selector – Euonymus japonicus 'Chollipo'. 1 December 2020.
5. Web site: RHS Plant Selector – Euonymus japonicus 'Ovatus Aureus'. 1 December 2020.
6. Web site: Euonymus japonicus 'Susan' . RHS . 19 July 2023.
7. Web site: AGM Plants – Ornamental . July 2017 . 40 . Royal Horticultural Society . 1 December 2020.