Species

Euonymus japonicusJapanese Spindle

5 other cultivars

shrub

Japanese Spindle

Euonymus japonicus 'Chollipo'

The Story

Plant Bio

Euonymus japonicus is a dense, upright evergreen shrub native to East Asia, forming a broad-oval canopy of leathery, lustrous leaves. In late spring, it produces small, inconspicuous greenish-white flowers in flattened cymes followed by colorful autumn seed arils.

'Chollipo' features dark green foliage bordered by distinctive, creamy-yellow margins that maintain high contrast year-round. It grows into a stiffly architectural oval profile up to twelve feet tall and six feet wide, making it well-suited for formal hedges and screening.

Uses & Benefits:

Striking dark green foliage bordered in creamy-yellow provides year-round color and architectural structure.

Highly tolerant of coastal salt spray and urban conditions, excelling as a durable formal hedge or topiary plant.

Flowers attract generalist pollinators, while songbirds consume the autumn seed arils and nest in the dense branching.

SpeciesEuonymus japonicusJapanese Spindle

Essentials

At a Glance

Plant Type

Shrub

Height

144"

Width

72"

Light

Full Sun, Partial Sun

Zones

6, 7, 8, 9

Water

Moderate

Humidity

High

Lifespan

Perennial

Native To

Asia

Toxicity

Toxic if ingested

Bloom period

Late spring

In flower about 1 month of the year

Planting

How to Grow

Select a planting location in full sun to partial shade with well-draining soil.
Dig a hole twice as wide as the root ball and equal in depth, ensuring the root crown sits level with the surrounding soil.
Backfill with native soil, press firmly around the root base, and water thoroughly to eliminate air pockets.
Apply a two-inch layer of organic mulch around the root zone, keeping it clear of direct contact with the trunk.

Pro Tip

Monitor stem joints in late spring for crawler-stage euonymus scale and treat immediately before white crusts form on woody stems.

Keep It Thriving

Care Guide

Do

Plant in light to medium soil that drains quickly after rain.
Prune in early spring to maintain formal hedge profiles.
Provide afternoon shade in regions with intense summer heat.

Don't

Do not allow soil to remain waterlogged or soggy around root systems.
Do not hack back into old, leafless woody stems where re-sprouting is poor.
Do not spray systemic insecticides blindly without checking for active scale crawlers first.

Seasonal Care Calendar

Task	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Fertilize
Pest Check
Propagate
Prune

Watch Out For

Pests & Diseases

Common Pests

Common Diseases

In the Garden

Landscape Uses & Companions

Landscape Uses

Privacy ScreenFormal HedgeTopiaryCoastal GardenFoundation Planting

Companion Plants

Ilex crenata Heuchera Buxus Hydrangea macrophylla

Multiply

Propagation Methods

Good to Know

Common Questions

Japanese Spindle questions

What zones can Japanese Spindle grow in?

Japanese Spindle is hardy in USDA Zones 6–9. Inside that range it survives winter in the ground; outside it, grow it as an annual or a container plant you protect.

Is Japanese Spindle deer resistant?

Not reliably. Deer may browse Japanese Spindle, especially tender spring growth — plan on repellents or fencing where pressure is high.

When does Japanese Spindle bloom?

Japanese Spindle typically blooms in late spring through late spring. Exact timing shifts a week or two with your zone — Sow's bloom calendar maps it to your garden.

Does Japanese Spindle need full sun?

Japanese Spindle does best in full sun to part shade. In hot climates, afternoon shade keeps blooms fresher longer.

Is Japanese Spindle drought tolerant?

Yes — once established (usually after the first full season), Japanese Spindle handles dry spells with minimal watering. Water deeply its first year to build the root system that makes that possible.