Euonymus hamiltonianus Fruit (20/10/2012, Kew Gardens, London)
Position: Full sun to dappled shade
Flowering period: Early summer
Soil: Moist, well drained
Eventual Height: 10m
Eventual Spread: 7m
Hardiness: 4a -8b
Family: Celastraceae
Euonymus hamiltonianus is a large, deciduous shrub or small tree. Its dark green leaves are ovate with serrulate margins, up to 11cm long and 2.5cm broad. Its leaves turn bright pink/ yellow in autumn before they fall. Its green/ white flowers are small, up to 7mm long. Its fruit is bright pink, these split open to reveal red berries during the autumn months.
Euonymus hamiltonianus, commonly known as the Chinese Spindle Tree or Hamilton’s Spindle Tree, is native to parts of the Himalayas, south east China and Japan. In its native habitat it grows in mixed woodland.
The etymological root of the binomial name for Euonymus is derived from the Greek eu meaning ‘good’ and onoma, the name given by the ancient Greeks for the Euonymus genus. We are unclear of the root of Hamiltonianus, reader feedback would be welcome.
The landscape architect may find Euonymus hamiltonianus useful as part of a woodland or woodland edge planting scheme. It will tolerate dry shady locations.
Ecologically, Euonymus hamiltonianus flowers are attractive to pollinating insects. The seeds are attractive to some birds.
Euonymus hamiltonianus (20/10/2012, Kew Gardens, London)
The Royal Horticultural Society has given Euonymus hamiltonianus their prestigious Award of Garden Merit in 1993.
Euonymus hamiltonianus prefers moist, fertile, well-drained soils. It tolerates most pH of soil.
Euonymus hamiltonianus requires little maintenance.
