Euonymus Alatus Winged Spindle Tree

Euonymus Alatus is a deciduous shrub with fiery breath-taking orangey-red foliage in autumn. It’s an RHS AGM winner that suits low maintenance colour-loving gardeners.

Euonymus Alatus is also called the Winged Spindle Tree and Burning Bush for its red leaves. It’s native to Eastern Asia where it naturally grows in hedgerows. The name Alatus is Latin for ‘winged’ in reference to its winged corky branches. In spring, small dark green foliage appears followed by insignificant green summer flowers, but it’s autumn when this handsome shrub comes into its own. Rivalling any acer its flaming red foliage can’t be missed as it gradually turns pale orange then deep intense red over a few weeks. The insignificant summer flowers ripen to attractive red and purple fruits that split open into four wings to reveal a bright orange seed.

This is an AGM winning autumn stunner that best suits a low maintenance border or hedge line near a window so you can appreciate its autumn to winter colour.

Height And Spread of Euonymus Alatus
Winged Spindle Tree is a slow-growing densely branched shrub that reaches a maximum height and spread of 2.5 metres. If you’d prefer a smaller size, we recommend Euonymus Alatus Compacta for more compact spaces.

How Hardy Is Euonymus Alatus
This is a very hardy shrub that withstands freezing UK winters if its roots are well-drained. It copes with some drought and pollution too.

How To Use Euonymus Alatus
Winged Spindle Tree is a medium-sized shrub with lots of autumn impact. Plant it at the back of a large, low maintenance border, as a specimen in the lawn, or in your front garden for lots of passer-by attention. It suits country-style gardens and modern spaces equally and is a must for lovers of vivid colour.

How To Care For Euonymus Alatus
Very little care is needed once Winged Spindle Tree is established. For the most vivid autumn colour plant it in full sun or partial shade in moist, well-drained soil. It will cope with all types of acidic to chalky soil in sheltered or exposed situations as long as its roots are well drained.

Prune away any dead or damaged branches in mid-winter and give it a thick layer of organic well-rotted mulch in spring to boost its nutrients and help it glow with colour in autumn.