James Burghardt
Family
Celastraceae
Botanical Name
EUONYMUS japonicus 'Moncliff'(SUNNY DELIGHT®)
Plant Common Name
Japanese Euonymus, Sunny Delight® Spindletree
Special Notice
This entry has yet to be reviewed and approved by L2G editors.
General Description
Popular in gardens since Victorian times, Japanese spindletree is a dense, oval to pyramidal, broadleaf evergreen native to eastern Asia. Somewhat slow growing, it eventually forms a large shrub or small tree. The lustrous leathery oval leaves look great year-round. Small yellow vinegar-scented flowers appear in late spring to early summer followed by rose-hued fruits that open to reveal orange-red seeds (arils). Most cultivated specimens bear little or no fruit. Many cultivars are grown, including numerous dwarf and variegated selections.
This relatively cold-tender shrub tolerates a wide range of growing environments including clay and acid soils, full sun to full shade, and salt spray. In dry shady sites it is prone to mildew. It is amenable to heavy pruning and can be easily shaped for hedges and foundation plantings. It is also ideal for screening, for coastal gardens, or as a specimen. Use it in containers in areas with severe winters. Older specimens can be pruned to expose their curved trunks and arching branches. This species is considered invasive in some regions including New Zealand.
Characteristics
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AHS Heat Zone
9 - 1
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USDA Hardiness Zone
6 - 9
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Sunset Zone
H1, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20
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Plant Type
Broadleaf Evergreen
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Sun Exposure
Full Sun, Partial Sun, Partial Shade, Full Shade
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Height
3'-15' / 0.9m - 4.6m (8)
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Width
3'-12' / 0.9m - 3.7m (6)
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Bloom Time
Late Spring, Early Summer
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Native To
Eastern Asia, China, Japan, Korea
Growing Conditions
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Soil pH
Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline
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Soil Drainage
Well Drained
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Soil type
Clay, Loam, Sand
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Tolerances
Pollution, Salt
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Growth Rate
Medium
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Water Requirements
Average Water
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Habit
Oval/Rounded
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Seasonal Interest
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Ornamental Features
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Flower Interest
Insignificant
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Flower Color
Light Yellow, Yellow Green
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Fruit Color
Light Pink, Rose, Orange Red
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Fruit Color Modifier
Bicolor
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Foliage Color (Spring)
Dark Green
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Foliage Color (Summer)
Dark Green
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Foliage Color (Fall)
Dark Green
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Foliage Color (Winter)
Dark Green
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Bark Color
Sandy Brown
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Fragrant Flowers
Yes
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Fragrant Fruit
No
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Fragrant Foliage
No
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Bark or Stem Fragrant
No
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Flower Petal Number
Single
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Repeat Bloomer
No
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Showy Fruit
Yes
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Edible Fruit
No
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Showy Foliage
Yes
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Foliage Texture
Medium
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Foliage Sheen
Glossy
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Evergreen
Yes
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Showy Bark
No
Special Characteristics
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Bark Texture
Corky
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Usage
Container, Feature Plant, Foundation, Hedges, Mixed Border, Screening / Wind Break, Topiary / Bonsai / Espalier
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Sharp or Has Thorns
No
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Invasive
Sometimes
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Self-Sowing
Yes
