Euonymus, decorative of the garden

Gardeners often miss out on the spindle tree. This shrub can transform any garden. It provides beauty all season long. Even as summer blooms fade, the bush keeps the garden colorful. Its beauty persists into autumn.

The spindle tree is also called euonymus. It belongs to the Celastraceae family. This family has over 100 types. They range from small bushes to trees. It grows in East Asia and Europe. You can also find it in Australia. It thrives in North America and Madagascar too. Some types are native to China. In many places, it grows in the Urals and Far East. It is also found in the middle zone.

This bush can grow up to 7 meters tall. Its flowers are small and clustered. Colors change with each type. Some have only up to five flowers per bunch. The fruits grow in dry capsules. The plant has some medicinal uses. However, the berries are very toxic. They contain alkaloids. Keep children away from the plant due to this.

The spindle tree needs little care. It lives well in polluted areas. It can handle short cold spells down to -20 degrees Celsius. Seeds are often sold in "mixes." These mixes have different varieties.