Euonymus alatus var. apterus

Euonymus alatus var. apterus

Winged spindle

A table displaying which months are best to sow, plant and harvest.
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Flowers
Flowers

Plant does not flower in January

Plant does not flower in February

Plant does not flower in March

Plant does not flower in April

Plant does flower in May

Plant does flower in June

Plant does not flower in July

Plant does not flower in August

Plant does not flower in September

Plant does not flower in October

Plant does not flower in November

Plant does not flower in December

  • Botanical name: Euonymus alatus var. apterus
  • Common name: Winged spindle
  • Family: Celastraceae
  • Plant Type: Shrub, Deciduous
Flower colour:

Green

Foliage colour:

Green

Euonymus alatus var. apterus is a compact, 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. 

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For the best autumn colour, grow Euonymus alatus var. apterus 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.

How to grow Euonymus alatus

  • Plant size

    2m height

    3m spread

  • Aspect

    South facing, west facing

  • Position in border

    Middle

  • Sun exposure: Full sun, dappled shade
  • Hardiness: Hardy
  • Soil type: Well drained / light / sandy / clay / heavy / moist / acidic

Plant calendar

A table displaying which months are best to sow, plant and harvest.
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Sow
Sow

Do not Sow in January

Do not Sow in February

Do not Sow in March

Do not Sow in April

Do not Sow in May

Do not Sow in June

Do not Sow in July

Do not Sow in August

Do not Sow in September

Do Sow in October

Do Sow in November

Do not Sow in December

Plant
Plant

Do Plant in January

Do not Plant in February

Do Plant in March

Do not Plant in April

Do not Plant in May

Do not Plant in June

Do not Plant in July

Do not Plant in August

Do not Plant in September

Do not Plant in October

Do Plant in November

Do Plant in December

Flowers
Flowers

Plant does not flower in January

Plant does not flower in February

Plant does not flower in March

Plant does not flower in April

Plant does flower in May

Plant does flower in June

Plant does not flower in July

Plant does not flower in August

Plant does not flower in September

Plant does not flower in October

Plant does not flower in November

Plant does not flower in December

Divide
Divide

Do not Divide in January

Do not Divide in February

Do not Divide in March

Do not Divide in April

Do not Divide in May

Do not Divide in June

Do not Divide in July

Do Divide in August

Do Divide in September

Do not Divide in October

Do not Divide in November

Do not Divide in December

Prune
Prune

Do not Prune in January

Do not Prune in February

Do Prune in March

Do not Prune in April

Do not Prune in May

Do not Prune in June

Do not Prune in July

Do not Prune in August

Do not Prune in September

Do not Prune in October

Do not Prune in November

Do not Prune in December

Collect seeds
Collect seeds

Do not Collect seeds in January

Do not Collect seeds in February

Do not Collect seeds in March

Do not Collect seeds in April

Do not Collect seeds in May

Do not Collect seeds in June

Do not Collect seeds in July

Do not Collect seeds in August

Do not Collect seeds in September

Do Collect seeds in October

Do Collect seeds in November

Do not Collect seeds in December

Euonymus alatus and wildlife

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

Is Euonymus alatus poisonous?

Euonymus alatus can be toxic.

Toxic to:

Toxic to Cats

Toxic to Dogs

No reported toxicity to:

No reported toxicity to Birds

No reported toxicity to Horses

No reported toxicity to Livestock

No reported toxicity to People