Euonymus brings a reassuring, evergreen presence to the garden, quietly earning its keep long after summer flowers have faded. Its small leaves stay neatly in place through wind, rain and frost, so borders never feel completely empty. Variegated forms add splashes of pale colour that lift even a grey January afternoon. This makes euonymus a lovely choice for front gardens and patios, where you want things to look cared‑for every time you step outside the door.
Common name: Euonymus.
Latin name: Euonymus.
Size in UK gardens: Usually 40–100cm tall and similar or slightly wider in spread; can climb a little higher on walls or supports over time.
Best position: Versatile; happy in sun or partial shade, making it ideal for front gardens, borders and containers.
Soil: Most well‑drained garden soils, from light sand to heavier clay, as long as they are not waterlogged.
Main interest: Neat, evergreen foliage – often attractively variegated – giving year‑round colour and structure at low level.
Fragrance: Usually not noticeably scented, though the foliage has a fresh “green” scent when trimmed.
Hardiness: Fully hardy in most UK gardens and generally unfazed by normal winter cold.
Care level: Low; once established it needs little more than an occasional trim and a light mulch to keep it looking smart.
Rather than travelling halfway across Europe, our mimosa trees are grown on site by the Simpson’s team. They’re toughened to local conditions, properly potted, and ready to get growing the moment you plant them.
Planting time: As a container‑grown shrub, euonymus can be planted in most months when the ground isn’t frozen or waterlogged, with spring and autumn usually the most comfortable seasons for both plant and gardener.
Watering: Water regularly through the first growing season, especially in dry spells, so the roots can establish well. After that, it usually only needs extra watering in prolonged dry weather, particularly on very light soils.
Feeding: A light mulch of garden compost or a general‑purpose fertiliser in spring helps keep growth steady and foliage fresh. On poor soils, a yearly top‑up of organic matter is especially helpful.
Pruning: Trim lightly once or twice a year to maintain the shape you want, clipping back new growth with shears or secateurs. More occasional, slightly harder pruning can be done if you need to reduce size.
Winter: Euonymus normally comes through winter in the UK without any special protection. In very exposed sites, a little wind scorch may appear on the most open faces, but this is easily tidied up with a spring trim.
Availability is always changing, so please check with us if you have a particular variety in mind.
The native spindle has a quietly elegant look through summer, then comes into its own with those jewel-like pink fruits that split to reveal bright orange seeds. The effect is extraordinary in autumn—decorative, vivid, and full of hedgerow charm. A lovely choice for seasonal colour and a naturalistic feel.
A showier spindle with a heavier crop of rich pink fruits and a more dramatic autumn finish. The berries hang like little ornaments, bringing colour and detail just when the garden starts to mellow. A superb pick if you want the classic spindle look, but with extra impact.
A handsome spindle with a slightly more exotic feel, valued for generous clusters of pink fruits that open to reveal orange seeds. It has a refined, leafy presence through summer, then turns into a berry-laden feature in autumn. Excellent for adding seasonal spectacle and a bit of something different.
