Culture
Winter hardy to USDA Zones 4-7 where it is easily grown in moist, rich, humusy, well-drained soils in full sun to light shade.
Noteworthy Characteristics
Euonymus carnosus, commonly known as fleshy-flowered spindletree, typically develops into a large shrub to 12-16’ tall with a spread to 8-10’ wide, but less frequently rises as a small tree to as much as 25-30’ tall. This is a rare, deciduous species that is native to forests and woodlands in the Sino-Himalayan region from SW China to the Himalayas and to parts of Japan.
It is noted for its excellent ornamental attributes, namely, (a) fragrant creamy-white flowers (loved by bees) in showy dense corymbs of 5-8 flowers which dangle from long pedicels over a long spring into summer (May-August) bloom period, (b) glossy, waxy-looking, elliptic to ovate, dark green leaves (to 3-7” long) which are attractive throughout summer, (c) fiery, coral-red fruit with orange arils which develop from late summer into autumn, (d) deep-red to burgundy-purple fall color which develops in late autumn, and (e) smooth gray bark which is attractive year round, but particularly so in winter after leaf drop.
Flowers bloom May-August. Fruit develops August-November.
Primary seed dispersal agent is birds who consume the fruits and eventually disburse the seeds.
Genus name is an ancient Greek name referring to plants of this genus.
Specific epithet means fleshy in reference to the thick flower petals and fruit.
Problems
No serious insect or disease problems. Appears to have good resistance to euonymus scale. Mites, leaf miner, aphids, mealybugs and crown gall may appear. Watch for witches’ broom, stem dieback, powdery mildew and fungal leaf spot.
Uses
Shrub/tree with excellent ornamental values. Foundations. Hedge. Specimen/accent. Group/mass. Woodland margins. Rare plant that may be difficult to locate in commerce.