Euonymus planipes

flat-stalked spindle

Celastraceae

Northeastern Asia (Korea, Japan, NE China, Russian Far East)

Attracts Pollinators

SunFull Sun – Part Shade

WaterMedium

HardinessZones 4–8

Overview

Euonymus planipes is a deciduous shrub or small tree reaching 10-13 feet (3-4 m) tall and nearly as wide, with an open, spreading branch framework. The elliptic leaves are 2-5 inches (5-12 cm) long, finely toothed, tapering to a slender point, and turn red and crimson in autumn. Small yellow-green flowers, each about 0.3 inch (8 mm) across with four petals, open in loose clusters from May to June. By early autumn the plant carries pendulous four- to five-lobed capsules 0.5-0.6 inch (12-15 mm) wide that ripen rosy-red and split open to expose seeds wrapped in orange-red arils, which hang below the splitting capsule for several weeks. The bare winter stems are green and faintly four-angled. Native to woodland margins of northeastern Asia, it grows in cool, moist climates and colors most fully in open positions. Like other species in the genus, all parts contain compounds that are toxic if eaten, and the seeds are the most concentrated. It is slow to establish and may take several years to begin fruiting heavily. It withstands a range of soils but declines in waterlogged ground.

Native Range

Euonymus planipes is native to northeastern Asia, including Korea, Japan, northeastern China, and the Russian Far East including Sakhalin Island. It grows along woodland edges and in scrub within cool, humid temperate forests.

Suggested Uses

Grown as a specimen shrub or in mixed shrub borders for autumn foliage and fruit. Used at woodland edges and in informal screens where the open branch structure has room to spread. Suited to cool temperate gardens with reliable moisture.

How to Identify

Recognized in autumn by pendulous rosy-red capsules with four to five winged lobes that split to reveal orange-red arils. The elliptic leaves are 2-5 inches (5-12 cm) long with small marginal teeth and turn red to crimson before falling. Young stems are green and faintly four-angled, separating it from the corky-winged stems of Euonymus alatus.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height10' - 13'

Width/Spread8' - 13'

Reaches mature size in approximately 12 years

Colors

Flower Colors

Foliage Colors

red

Fall Foliage Colors

red

crimson

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~3 weeks

Spring

Yellow-green four-petalled flowers about 0.3 inch (8 mm) across open from May to June in loose stalked clusters. They are followed by capsules that mature from green to rosy-red through late summer. The capsules remain colored on the plant for several weeks through September and October, after the leaves fall.

Detailed Descriptions

Foliage Description

green, turning red in autumn

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

SunFull Sun SunPartial Shade

Requires 4-8 hours of direct sunlight daily

• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight

• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight

• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range5.5 - 7.5(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

loam clay sand

Drainagewell drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Medium

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

10-15 years

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Euonymus planipes grows in full sun to part shade on moist, well-drained soil of average fertility. Autumn leaf color develops more fully in open sun. It is propagated from seed sown after a cold period or from softwood cuttings in summer. Established plants tolerate brief dry spells but hold foliage better with steady moisture. All parts are toxic to people and pets if eaten, with the seeds most concentrated. Hardy in USDA zones 4-8, it tolerates hard winter cold.

Pruning

Minimal pruning is needed. Crossing or crowded stems can be thinned in late winter while the plant is dormant. Hard cutting reduces the following autumn fruit display, which forms on established wood.

Pruning Schedule

winter