European Spindle

(Euonymus europaeus)

European Spindle (Euonymus europaeus)

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Estimated Native Range
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Summary

Euonymus europaeus, commonly known as European Spindle, is a deciduous shrub or small tree native to a variety of habitats including mixed forests, woodland margins, hedgerows, and grasslands across Europe and into western Asia and the Caucasus. It typically grows to 3–6 m (10–20 ft) tall, and rarely reaches up to 10 m (33 ft), with a stem diameter up to 20 cm (8 in). The leaves are ovate to lanceolate, with finely serrated edges and are dark green in summer, turning to a striking yellow-green to reddish-purple in autumn. The inconspicuous hermaphrodite flowers, appearing in late spring, are small, yellowish-green, and grow in cymes of 3–8. The showy capsular fruit matures in autumn, changing from green to a vivid red to purple or pink, about 1–1.5 cm wide. When ripe, the four lobes split open to reveal the contrasting orange seeds, which are particularly attractive to birds.

European Spindle is valued for its ornamental fruit and vibrant autumn foliage. It is used in gardens and parks, often as a specimen plant or in mixed borders for year-round interest. ’Red Cascade’, a cultivar with particularly striking fruit, has received the Royal Horticultural Society’s Award of Garden Merit. This species thrives in full sun to part shade and is adaptable to a range of soil types, provided they have good drainage. While it requires medium amounts of water, it can tolerate some drought once established. Euonymus europaeus can be susceptible to euonymus scale, an insect pest that may require management. Additionally, it is known to be potentially invasive in some regions, such as parts of the United States, and should be planted with caution outside its native range.CC BY-SA 4.0

Plant Description

  • Plant Type: Shrub, Tree
  • Height: 12-20 feet
  • Width: 10-16 feet
  • Growth Rate: Moderate
  • Flower Color: Yellow, Green, White
  • Flowering Season: Spring, Summer
  • Leaf Retention: Deciduous

Growth Requirements

  • Sun: Full Sun, Part Shade
  • Water: Medium
  • Drainage: Slow, Medium, Fast

Common Uses

Bank Stabilization, Bee Garden, Bird Garden, Border Plant, Drought Tolerant, Hedges, Low Maintenance, Rabbit Resistant, Street Planting

Natural Habitat

Mixed forests, woodland margins, hedgerows, and grasslands across Europe and into western Asia and the Caucasus

Other Names

Common Names: European Spindletree, Spindle, Spindletree, Common Spindle, European Euonymus, European Spindle-Tree, Benved, Gewöhnliches Pfaffenhütchen, Pfaffenhütchen, Euroopansorvarinpensas

Scientific Names: , Euonymus europaeus, Evonymus europaeus, Euonymus vulgaris, Euonymus europaeus var. intermedius, Euonymus bulgarica, Euonymus europaeus var. suberosus, Euonymus europaeus f. angustifolius, Euonymus europaeus f. atrorubens, Euonymus europaeus var. macrophyllus

GBIF Accepted Name: Euonymus europaeus L.