Position

Sun exposure:
Dappled shade, full sun
Aspect:
South facing, west facing
Position in border:
Middle

Soil

Acidic / Clay / Heavy / Moist / Well Drained / Light / Sandy

Euonymus alatus

Euonymus alatus is a dark-leaved shrub, inconspicuous for most of the year but in autumn it comes into its own when the foliage turns vivid shades of scarlet and crimson. The summer flowers are insignificant, but they result in attractive purple and red fruits which split open to form four winged lobes with a bright orange seed at the centre. The bark is also attractively winged. It's perfect for growing as a specimen shrub in a mixed border or front garden, where it's magnificent autumn colours can be fully appreciated.

For the best autumn colour, grow Euonymus alatus in moist but well-drained soil in full sun. Prune out damaged, dead or crossing branches in late-winter to spring, and mulch annually with well-rotted manure or compost.

Plant calendar

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Sowyesyes
Plantyesyesyesyes
Flowersyesyes
Fruitsyesyes
Take cuttingsyesyes
Pruneyes
Collect seedsyesyes

Euonymus and wildlife

Euonymus has no particular known value to wildlife in the UK.

Is Euonymus poisonous?

Euonymus can be toxic.

Toxic to:
Is known to attract Cats
Cats
Is known to attract Dogs
Dogs
No reported toxicity to:
Is not known to attract Birds
Birds
Is not known to attract Horses
Horses
Is not known to attract Livestock
Livestock
Is not known to attract People
People
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