Types and Cultivars of Spindle (Euonymus fortunei)
Spindle (Euonymus fortunei) is a versatile evergreen shrub that brings year-round structure and colour to gardens in the Netherlands and Belgium. With a wide range of cultivars, from deep green to strikingly variegated leaves, spindle can be used as low hedging, ground cover, or even as a climbing plant. Here, we introduce the main types and their characteristics, so you can choose the right variety for your garden.
Green-Leaved Types
Green spindle cultivars are valued for their robust appearance and reliable winter colour. Well-known varieties include:
- Euonymus fortunei 'Radicans': A low-growing, spreading type with dark green leaves. Excellent as ground cover or for stabilising slopes.
- Euonymus fortunei 'Coloratus' (also known as 'Vegetus'): Forms a dense mat, with green leaves that can turn purplish in winter. Often used for ground cover or underplanting.
- Euonymus fortunei 'Dart's Blanket': Compact, with small, glossy green leaves and a tidy growth habit. Suitable for edging or mass planting.
- Euonymus fortunei 'Minimus': Very compact and fine-leaved, ideal for small spaces or between paving stones.
Variegated Types
Variegated spindle cultivars add extra brightness to borders and shady spots. Popular choices include:
- Euonymus fortunei 'Emerald 'n Gold': Green leaves with a bright yellow edge. The colour is most vivid in full sun, but this variety also tolerates partial shade.
- Euonymus fortunei 'Emerald Gaiety': Green leaves with a white margin, sometimes tinged pink in winter. Grows slightly more upright than 'Emerald 'n Gold'.
- Euonymus fortunei 'Harlequin': Small leaves with irregular white and green markings, often with pinkish tips on new growth.
Compact and Creeping Forms
Many spindle cultivars are naturally low and spreading, making them ideal as ground cover or for planting in groups. 'Radicans', 'Coloratus', and 'Minimus' are especially suitable for these uses. Their dense growth helps suppress weeds and cover bare soil.
Climbing Uses
Some Euonymus fortunei cultivars can climb if given support, such as a fence or wall. They attach themselves with small rootlets and can reach up to 2 metres in height over time. Both green and variegated types can be used in this way, though growth is generally slower than with traditional climbing plants.
Cultivar Overview
- 'Radicans': Deep green, low and spreading, good for ground cover.
- 'Coloratus' ('Vegetus'): Green to purplish, dense mat-forming, very hardy.
- 'Dart's Blanket': Compact, glossy green, neat habit.
- 'Minimus': Very small leaves, very low-growing.
- 'Emerald 'n Gold': Green with yellow edges, vibrant colour.
- 'Emerald Gaiety': Green with white edges, upright and bushy.
- 'Harlequin': White and green variegation, pinkish new growth.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the difference between 'Emerald 'n Gold' and 'Emerald Gaiety'?
- 'Emerald 'n Gold' has green leaves with a bright yellow edge, while 'Emerald Gaiety' features green leaves with a white margin that may turn pinkish in winter. 'Emerald Gaiety' tends to grow more upright, whereas 'Emerald 'n Gold' is slightly more spreading.
- Which spindle is best as a ground cover?
- 'Radicans' and 'Coloratus' are particularly well-suited as ground cover due to their low, spreading growth. 'Minimus' is also a good choice for very compact spaces.
- Are variegated spindle types less hardy?
- Most variegated cultivars of Euonymus fortunei are hardy in the Netherlands and Belgium, but they may be slightly more sensitive to severe frost than green types. In most winters, they remain evergreen and healthy.
- Which types stay the lowest?
- 'Minimus' and 'Radicans' are among the lowest-growing cultivars, making them ideal for edging or ground cover.
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