Euonymous japonica
Family: Celastraceae
Origin: Japan and East Asia
'Aureo-marginata'
'Aureo-variegata'
Hardiness: Hardy to 0 degrees; USDA Zones 7, 8, 9 and 10
Growth: Slow to medium rate of growth
Form: Upright to 10 feet with a 6 foot spread; usually kept smaller
Leaves: Oval, 2 inch, shiny, leathery; dark green in species
Flowers: Inconspicuous
Fruit: One-quarter inch orange berries in fall
Exposure: Full sun or light shade; tolerates heat
Water: Regular watering
Soil: Any soil
Fertilizer: Spring and fall with NPK
Prune: Shear or head and thin anytime to control size and shape
Problems: Scale, thrips and mites possible; powdery mildew
The variegated varieties of this plant are much more popular than the species. 'Silver King' has white edges. 'Silver Queen' has creamy edges. All varieties can revert to dark green leaves. If branches appear with dark green leaves, prune them immediately.
There are very few problems with this plant where I live in Santa Maria on the Central Coast. Powdery mildew is such a problem in Sacramento that the Parks Department no longer uses it. Mildew is hard to control, and it seems to like hot summers.
This is an excellent landscape plant in areas where mildew is not a problem. It can be controlled by periodic pruning or shearing. It looks good for a long time after pruning.
© 1997 by Jim Clatfelter
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