Are you looking for an interesting shrub for your garden that will look great regardless of the season? Consider planting a winged spindle tree (Euonymus alatus) – not very popular, of East Asian origin.
It delights in many respects also in the fall and winter, because it is extremely decorative and at the same time and frost-resistant. Therefore, it does not require special protection against wind or snow.
The winged spindle is one of the most beautiful autumn shrubs with an average height of up to about 2 meters, which naturally grows mainly in areas of China, Korea, Japan and the Russian island of Sakhalin.
Nowadays, however, it is increasingly planted outside the areas of its original occurrence, also in Europe. It does well in the Polish temperate climate due to its low requirements, high resistance to changing weather conditions and pollution..
The appearance of the winged spindle is delightful regardless of the season. It has beautiful lanceolate, slightly elongated leaves that are dark green in spring and summer, and turn a spectacular, intense red shade in autumn. (or carmine).
Additionally, in May the shrub blooms, revealing small light flowers, which later develop into fruit (they are poisonous, so you absolutely must not eat them). The greatest advantage of this plant are its cork strips surrounding the shoots.
The winged spindle is not a very demanding shrub. It can be planted even at the beginning of November, as long as the soil is not frozen and the night temperature does not drop below -5 degrees Celsius.
It tolerates droughts and temporary droughts well, but like any plant, it has its own needs. It’s worth remembering that it thrives best in sunny and semi-shaded positions in permeable, moderately moist soil with a neutral soil pH.
To make it look beautiful it does not require intensive fertilization, although it can be given a multi-ingredient fertilizer at the beginning of the growing season. Regular cutting is not necessary either, although it is worth trimming the bumblebee from time to time for sanitary reasons and to maintain its elegant shape.
