Euonymus sp.

Burning Bush, Spindle tree

The spindle tree, or burning bush, is popular as an ornamental shrub for its brilliant red autumn coloration and for the interesting "wing" structures which form on the branches. Bonsai enthusiasts differ on this point: Jahn and Tomlinson, for example, finds the wings an interesting feature, whereas Murata considers them a nuisance. Both evergreen and deciduous varieties of spindle tree can be used for bonsai.

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Lighting:

 Needs a lot of indirect light, but only limited exposure to full sun.

Temperature:

 Varies according to species, with some Euonymus being quite hardy (to zone 4) while others being considerably more tender. Tender varieties can be kept indoors during winter, but need outdoor light and air come spring. Small sized Euonymus bonsai need frost protection for their roots.

Watering:

 Moderate. Do not allow the soil to dry out. May appreciate daily misting during growth.

Feeding:

 Every two weeks from late spring through summer. Use bonsai food, half-strength plant food or timed-release pellets.

Repotting:

 Every 2-3 years in early spring, although yearly repotting may be necessary during the tree's first ten years depending on root growth. Use basic bonsai soil mix.

Styling:

 Cut back new shoots to 2-3 leaves. Can be wired during spring and summer, but protect the delicate bark. A single plant will flower, but if fruiting is desired, several specimens are required for cross-polination. E. sieboldianus has naturally long internodes, and Murata warns that attempting to make the tree look "restrained" will seem artificial. He encourages bonsaists to appreciate the "unrestrained" nature of the tree. Those who find the wings unattractive or out of proportion in their bonsai often choose to remove them.

Propagation:

 Seed, layering in spring or summer, softwood cuttings in summer, hardwood cuttings in autumn.

Pests etc.:

 caterpillars, aphids.

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Some species suitable for bonsai:


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Related posts on Euonymus

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Caro
carobowers@rocketmail.com
December 01, 1997
Where can you purchase the "burning bush" and what time of
year do you plant it?


Paula
hinesp@voyager.net
September 10, 1997
I planted two dwarf burning bushes near my house recently. 
How far apart should they be planted from each other and
from other plants and flowers? Please comment.


steve emm
JDCL59A@prodigy.com
August 05, 1997
Please help!  I have a row of dwarf burning bushes next to my house 3-4 years old.  They seem very healthy, but in late July they lose all their leaves.  I sprayed for aphids this year but it still happened.  Is it possible that it is heat stress.  They always come back in the spring like nothing ever happened.  Thanks,  Steve from Maryland.



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Information Sources:

Information on Euonymus sp. is taken from Jahn (ed.) "The Simon and Schuster Guide to Bonsai," Lesniewicz's "Bonsai in Your Home," Murata's "Four Seasons of Bonsai," and Tomlinson's "Complete Book of Bonsai," with species information from Coats' "Garden Shrubs and Their Histories," and Thomas (ed.) "The Hearst Garden Guide to Trees and Shrubs."


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