Buy general admission online to save $2 per ticket and save time in line
The Morton Arboretum Get tickets
Browse Trees and Plants

Spindle-tree

Euonymus europaeus

Common names:
spindle-tree, spindle tree, European spindle tree, European euonymus, common spindle tree

Content Detail

Spindle-tree is an European species of euonymus with attractive fall color and interesting seed capsules.

Birds are attracted to the fruit and tend to spread them freely to the point where this plant has become weedy and invasive in some areas of the United States.   

  • Family (English) Staff-tree
  • Family (botanic) Celastraceae
  • Tree or plant type Tree, Shrub
  • Foliage Deciduous (seasonally loses leaves)
  • Native locale Non-native
  • Size range Large shrub (more than 8 feet), Compact tree (10-15 feet), Small tree (15-25 feet)
  • Light exposure Full sun (6 hrs direct light daily), Partial sun / shade (4-6 hrs light daily)
  • Hardiness zones Zone 4, Zone 5 (Northern Illinois), Zone 6 (City of Chicago), Zone 7
  • Soil preference Moist, well-drained soil
  • Drought tolerance Moderately tolerant
  • Other tolerances Alkaline soil, Occasional drought
  • Season of interest early fall
  • Flower color and fragrance Inconspicuous
  • Shape or form Narrow, Round, Upright
  • Growth rate Fast, Moderate

More Information

Size and Form

An upright narrow shrub or tree reaching 12 to 25 feet high and 10 to 20 feet wide becoming more rounded with age.

Native Geographic Location and Habitat

It is native to Europe and Asia.

Pollinators and Wildlife

Birds easily spread the seeds and this plant is becoming invasive in some areas.

Bark Description

The bark is gray and the stems are green.

Leaf Description

The simple, opposite, 1 to 3 inch leaves are oval with finely toothed edges. They are dark green throughout the growing season and vary from yellow to reddish-purple in the fall.

Flower Description

The inconspicuous yellow green flowers have four petals.

Fruit Description

Birds are attracted to and spread the attractive, showy pink to reddish capsules that open to reveal orange seeds. It is invasive in some areas of the United States.

Care Knowledge

Plant Care

Spindle-tree requires well-drained soil. It can tolerate some drought conditions once established, when planted in partial shade. Birds easily spread the seeds and this plant is becoming invasive in some parts of the United States.

Pests, Diseases and Tolerances

Euonymus scale is a problem on spindle-tree. 

Cultivars

Redcap spindle tree (Euonymus europaeus ‘Redcap’)

This cultivar yields a large crop of persistent, bright red capsules with orange seeds. The medium green leaves turn reddish-purple in the fall.

Photo Gallery (3)

Slider controls

Slider

Slider

1

Donate

Your support is vital to the Arboretum, where the power of trees makes a positive impact on people’s lives.

Make a gift