Euonymus

Euonymus are small, bushy trees or shrubs. The common form, Euonymus europaeus, is also called the Spindle Bush. They are often found in hedgerows and native woodland.

There are many species suitable for the garden, both deciduous or evergreen. They have small, oval leaves which develop excellent autumn colour. Some varieties have finely serrated leaves.

A key feature of these trees are the unusual, eye-catching fruit. Bright red, pink or white segmented fruit pods hang from the branches in clusters. These sometimes split open to reveal an orange seed inside, a favourite food of birds.

The bark of some species can be attractively ridged and corky. The wood was traditionally used for the making of spindles for spinning wool, hence the common name Spindle Bush.