Euonymus europaeus

Common name: European spindletree
Plant type: Large shrub
Flower color: Tiny, greenish
Bloom period: Early summer
Fragrance: None
Height: 6-15 feet x 4-10 feet
Hardiness: USDA Zones 4a-7b
Light needs: Part to full sun
Moisture needs: Average
Seasonal character: Outstanding in fall, with dark red foliage and brilliant hot pink and orange fruits.

European spindletree is pretty much a sleeper plant until autumn. That's when its lustrous deep green leaves starts to show off its unique fruits. In early fall, these don't look that interesting, being just lightly blushed lobed capsules. But as the season progresses, their color deepens to psychedelic hot pink, and they split open to dangle a red-orange fleshy berry below the wings of the capsule. At this stage the fruits will remind you of bittersweet on LSD, and that's no accident. Both are members of the Celastraceae family.

As the fruits begin to split open, the foliage tries to keep up by turning its own shades of purple, hot pink, and deep red. The peak of this show occurs in late November and even into early December, so this is a plant that really lights up a landscape that's beginning to look drab in many parts of the country.

The fruits and other parts of this plant are toxic to children and animals. I'm not sure if that includes birds, because usually such brightly colored fruits have evolved to attract them. However, you wouldn't want to plant this shrub in your toddler's play area.

European spindletree is an easy plant to grow, and one of the most resistant to scale infestation of all the genus (other members of which I for the most part detest). It tolerates a wide range of soil conditions and will flourish as long as it has at least part sun.

Although it doesn't require pruning, this is a fun plant to prune, especially as a standard, or single-stemmed shrub made to resemble a small, formal tree. To do this, simply select the strongest shoot and prune off all others at ground level. Stake the remaining shoot to make it grow straight. When it reaches the height where you want it to branch out, pinch it at that point, and remove all branching growth below that spot. Subsequent pinchings will create a small, bushy canopy. But refrain from shearing it into a globe. It looks better if allowed to look like a naturally branched treelet. Annually remove all branches below the canopy as well as new sprouts emerging at ground level.

European spindletree looks best placed in a spot where little else is happening in late fall. It pairs well with ornamental grasses, whose tawny tones show it off to good advantage around Thanksgiving. And don't forget to bring some branches in for colorful holiday arrangements.

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