Euonymus planipes - Euonymus

Euonymus planipes or sachalinensis is a deciduous spindle of Asian origin that is easy to grow and spectacular throughout the autumn. This medium-sized bush has apple green foliage that turns to yellow-orange by the end of summer and gradually becomes purple, while its surprisingly small fruits ripen in a deep pink and bright orange colour. Not demanding, ignored by the caterpillars that often disfigure our European spindles, it will simply be sumptuous in a mass planting or a free hedge. 

Euonymus planipes is native to northeastern China, Japan, and Korea. It is a perfectly cold-resistant bush, well adapted to slightly alkaline soils, with reasonably low water requirements. Like all spindles, it belongs to the Celastraceae family.

It has a bushy, reasonably wide, rounded to spreading habit. Its growth is relatively slow. An adult specimen will reach an average size of 2.50 m (8 ft 2 in) in all directions. Although less developed than its cousin's, its branches show corky outgrowths, the winged spindle. They bear deciduous foliage, which grows in spring and falls in autumn. The leaves, 5 to 12 cm (2 to 4.7 in) long, elliptical and toothed, are arranged oppositely on the branches. Their colour is a relatively light green until August. They start changing colour at the end of August or the beginning of September, more quickly if the bush is exposed to the sun. Shades of yellow, orange, and purple invade the lamina until the foliage becomes completely purple in October before falling off. The insignificant spring flowering, made up of small white-greenish flowers, gives way to beautiful, original, decorative, and brightly coloured fruits. These are deep pink-red berries, generally spherical, 2 cm (0.8 in) in diameter, whose 4 to 5 lobes open to reveal orange-coloured arillate seeds. They are lovely but also toxic to humans. However, these delicious fruits are a bird's food source, even in winter.

Euonymus planipes is easy to grow and thrives in well-drained soil in a sunny exposure that enhances its autumn colours. In the south of France, placing it in partial shade is preferable as it does not tolerate high temperatures. Its changing foliage and colourful fruiting make it an excellent choice for free hedges, adding a luxurious touch that will captivate gardeners for long moments. Being of medium size, it fits well in a small garden or a larger plot. For example, accompany it with Berberis (Barberry), bush honeysuckles (Lonicera tatarica or fragrantissima), variegated holly, Cotinus (Smoke bush), Parrotia persica (Persian ironwood), Cornus mas (Cornelian cherry), or Chinese azaleas depending on the nature of your soil.