| PSC 2620: Woody Trees and Shrub | Course Home | Week 9 |
Euonymus japonicus - Japanese Euonymus
Plant Viewer
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| Light green flowers emerge in small cymes during the late spring. | |
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| The leaf is obovate in shape, glossy green and and has a serrated margin. It is 1-3 inches long. |
Plant Description
Euonymus japonicus, or Japanese Euonymus is a beautiful evergreen shrub with an attractive large glossy leaf. Unfortunately, as a zone 6 or 7, it is not hardy in our climate except in the warm microclimates. I suspect once the plant is established it may be more cold tolerant than is commonly thought. It grows 10-15 feet high and 5-7 feet wide. It has an upright rounded form that is very dense. It hedges well, but must be trimmed frequently because of its fast growth rate. It is exceptionally tolerant of many different soil conditions and will happily grow in full sun to full shade.
The leaf is obovate in shape, 1-3 inches long, and half as wide. It is a glossy dark green color on the top, and lighter green underneath the leaf. The margin is serrated except towards the very base of the leaf, where it is entire. The leaves are arranged oppositely on the stem.
Cymes of small light green flowers appear in the late spring or early summer. They are not ornamentally significant.
Landscape Use
Popular for use as a large foundation plant or for screens and hedges.
Points of Interest
The variegated cultivars are the most popular, but they will often put out shoots that are not variegated. It is important that these growths are promptly removed or they will become dominant on the plant.
Notable Cultivars
Aureo-variegata
The margin of the leaf has an undulating yellow color. It grows 5-10 feet high and wide.
