The golden euonymus shrub makes a bold statement wherever it is planted. This evergreen shrub has a number of uses in the landscape, but sadly it is prone to a few serious pests and diseases and may change color over time.
Read on to find out whether the golden euonymus shrub is the right plant for you.Â
What Is A Golden Euonymus Shrub (Euonymus japonicus aureomarginatus)?
The golden euonymus shrub (Euonymus japonicus aureomarginatus) is a variety of the Japanese spindle tree of the Celastraceae family. Just in case you were wondering, euonymus is pronounced yoo-AW-nim-us. Â
Golden euonymus shrub is a dense, rounded but upright, and multistemmed evergreen shrub with variegated leaves. The parent plant, the Japanese spindle tree, is native to Japan and has been reported from Korea and China as well.Â
Golden euonymus generally grows to around 5-10ft (1.5-3m) tall and 2-4ft (0.6-1.2m) across. Most often, it grows to about 8 feet tall at its mature size and has a somewhat large growth habit. It’s hardy in growing zones 6-9.
Being a long-lived species, this popular evergreen shrub may reach ages of 150 years in the right environment, though it will reach its mature height long before then.
The brightly colored leaves of golden euonymus are what it is most popular for. These variegated leaves are a combination of glossy yellow and green. The variegated foliage tends to be a brighter color when the plant is grown in full -partial sun (ideally direct sunlight).
The leaves of this plant are simple and oppositely arranged, growing 1-3 inches (2.5-7.5cm) long with smooth margins.
Unfortunately, the variegated leaves of the golden euonymus plant may revert from variegated to plain green, sometimes resulting in plants that are half green and half yellow, which isn’t a great look. If you’re planning on using this as a hedge, you may want to pair it with other species, like burning bush, for consistent color.
Golden Euonymus Shrub Flowers
It’s definitely the foliage of this plant that is its most showy characteristic. The flowers and fruits of this variety are pretty inconspicuous. You can certainly grow a colorful hedge with golden euonymus forms, but it will be the green and yellow variegation of hte leaves that offer the color – not flowers.
This golden euonymus plant produces small greenish-white flowers with 4-5 petals. The brightly colored shrub blooms in spring, with its blossoms making way for pink capsules that mature in the fall.Â
How To Grow A Golden Euonymus Shrub
Golden euonymus plant can be grown from both seeds and cuttings. Seeds require cold stratification before they will germinate so cuttings are likely to be the quickest and easiest option for growing new plants.
This plant is pretty adaptable as far as soils are concerned. A wide variety of soil pHs and textures are suitable, but as with most plants, it prefers a well-drained substrate.
These plants are not particularly drought tolerant and will do best if grown in a substrate that is kept moist. Applying mulch to the soil surface will be helpful in keeping the soil from drying out, just remember not to mulch right up to the plant’s crown.Â
Where to Grow Golden Euonymus
Grow the golden euonymus plant in an area that gets full sun to dappled or partial shade and space these plants so that there is good airflow between them. USDA Hardiness zones 6-9 are ideal for this plant but make sure to choose a site that is protected from harsh winds.
The best time to plant a golden euonymus hedge is in the spring, ideally right before the growing season kicks off, so the shrub has time to establish roots before the early summer arrives.
How to Plant Golden Euonymus
If you’re planting a new plant, dig a hole that’s deeper than the pot size – we recommend planting at least twice as deep as the mature width. Backfill soil to ground level, at the soil level, and tamp down well.
Be sure to amend poor soils prior to planting your golden euonymus shrub with compost or another slow release fertilizer. This will help your new plant get established! Though euonymus is a tough shrub, a bit of extra nutrients doesn’t hurt.
Give the golden euonymus plant a deep watering after you’ve planted it to help the root system get the moisture it needs.
Care and Maintenance of Golden Euonymus
Golden euonymus shrub has a medium to fast growth rate and can be pruned in any season. To make the ideal hedge, prune often to ensure the wide yellow margins and green and gold foliage have the chance to shine through!
Provide deep watering about once a week. This should be all your plant needs if it’s grown in well drained soil. You can use a soaker hose to provide moisture right at the soil line if you prefer.
You can use a slow release fertilizer if you find the golden yellow leaves aren’t colorful enough on your Euonymus japonicus – this should provide your plant with the nutrients it needs to really shine.
Give your golden euonymus plant some afternoon shade and it should stay nice and healthy for you.
Golden Euonymus Pests and DiseasesÂ
Unfortunately, the golden euonymus shrub (Euonymus japonica) is known to be quite susceptible to a number of pests and diseases. This otherwise low-maintenance plant can become quite needy if affected by one or more of these conditions, something to consider before planting this shrub in your yard.
Euonymus scale is a tiny insect that causes the appearance of white spots on the leaf surfaces. Unfortunately, this plant variety is prone to infestation and this pest can be very difficult to control. Affected plants will lose a large number of leaves in the winter months and suffer from significant leaf drop.
Euonymus scale can be controlled to an extent by the use of horticultural oils and pesticides but unfortunately, the most effective means of controlling this pest might be to not plant E. japonica at all. (1)
Fungal leaf spot caused by Cercospora fungi is another common and serious disease of the golden euonymus shrub. Leafspot usually isn’t fatal to the plant but the dark brown spots covering the leaves are not pretty. Spraying the foliage (especially new growth) with a fungicide and raking up and removing all fallen leaves from below the plant are your best means of managing this condition.
A bacteria known as Agrobacterium tumefaciens causes quite a serious disease in these plants known as crown gall. This infection causes unsightly swelling of the lower stem of the plant which usually results in a slowed growth rate or even death of the plant.
Cut these swellings off of the stem of your golden euonymus shrub and take extra care not to spread this bacteria to other plants by direct contact or by using the same tool on nearby plants or surrounding soil without disinfecting.Â
Other pests and diseases that may affect golden euonymus shrubs include:
- Powdery mildew
- Mealybugs
- Mites
- Aphids
Uses for the Golden Euonymus Shrub
Now that you know a little bit more about the golden euonymus shrub – including golden euonymus care and cultivation tips – here is a guide to how you can use golden euonymus shrubs around your property.
Horticultural uses of golden euonymus shrubs
Golden euonymus shrub is most often used for foundation planting, hedges, and screening. This plant is perhaps better suited for use as a bold specimen that can even be used for topiary shaping.
Considering how prone the golden euonymus shrub is to some pests and diseases, mass planting may not be a good idea. The golden euonymus shrub has good tolerance for salinity and can be grown in coastal areas.Â
Human uses for golden euonymus shrubs
Unfortunately, the golden euonymus shrub has become naturalized in parts of the United States, the United Kingdom, and New Zealand, where the seeds have been spread widely by birds. All parts of this plant are reported to be toxic if ingested. (2)
Wildlife uses for golden euonymus shrubs
The flowers of golden euonymus shrubs are visited and pollinated by bees and flies, and birds enjoy the fruits. Unfortunately, deer enjoy browsing on the golden euonymus shrub, which may be a problem if they have access to your yard. Â
Are Golden Euonymus Shrubs Right for You?
With their richly colored green leaf or cheerful golden yellow borders that offer a brightly colored edging solution and a striking pattern, golden euonymus shrubs have the potential to brighten up any landscape.
Their gently serrated, tiny leaves offer a unique textural quality with small splashes of color – and since these shrubs thrive anywhere there’s part sun and well draining soil, they’re also easy to take care of.
Most people can find golden euonymus shrubs sold at their local landscape supply stores in 1 gallon or 3 gallon containers. So what are you waiting for? Consider picking some up today!
FAQs
Conclusion
The bright yellow look of the golden euonymus bush might not suit everyone’s tastes. This bold-looking shrub is prone to a number of serious pests and diseases and its habit of becoming partially green can create a less attractive and more high maintenance plant than you may have hoped for.
For more shrubs to grow, check our shrub list.
References
Reference list
(1) University of Maryland Extension. Euonymus Scale- Shrubs
https://extension.umd.edu/hgic/topics/euonymus-scale-shrubs
(2) Parker, C. & Acevedo-RodrÃguez, P. CABI Invasive Species Compendium- Euonymus Japonicus (Japanese Spindle Tree)
https://www.cabi.org/isc/datasheet/23206
Close
*image by hecos/depositphotos
