Content
- 1 Description of the European spindle tree
- 2 European spindle tree in landscape design
- 3 European spindle tree varieties
- 4 European spindle tree: poisonous or not
- 5 Planting and caring for European spindle tree in the Moscow region
- 6 European spindle tree fruits
- 7 Reproduction of European spindle tree
- 8 Diseases and pests
- 9 Reviews of the European Euonymus
- 10 Conclusion
The photo and description of the European spindle tree must be studied in order to understand its features. This plant, beloved by many gardeners, is quite unpretentious and common in many regions of Russia. Compliance with simple care rules will provide a decorative appearance of the bush from autumn to winter.
Description of the European spindle tree
European euonymus (in Latin "Euonymus europaeus") is a deciduous shrub or tree, found in the wild in Western Europe, in Russia (on the European part), in the Caucasus and in the Crimea. It can reach a height of 6 m. Young shoots of European spindle tree are colored green, and with age they become almost black, and small growths appear on them.
The leaves are dark green, about 10 cm long, ovoid. In autumn, European euonymus is painted in various shades of red. The plant blooms for about a month, and at this time it does not look very impressive. Semi-umbellate inflorescences include about 5 buds of white, slightly greenish, color. The crown of the shrub is dense, but it is most beautiful in autumn - first because of the bright foliage, then because of the fruits that are interesting in shape and color.
European spindle tree in landscape design
Ornamental trees and shrubs of European spindle tree are actively used in landscape design. They are planted singly or in groups. Often a hedge is made from the plant - it tolerates pruning for shaping well.
European spindle tree varieties
European euonymus is represented by several varieties that differ in appearance. Each gardener can choose exactly the plant that is most suitable for his site.
European spindle tree Sherwood
It is a shrub up to 5 m in height, with a compact crown and actively forming shoots. Young shoots are deep green, tetrahedral in shape. Leaves resemble an oval, leathery, about 11 cm in size. At first the shrub is green, but then it turns red-pink. Flowering begins in late May and lasts almost three weeks. The Sherwood euonymus has the most decorative appearance during the period of fruit ripening - in September. It is covered with bright pink bolls, which, when opened, show a cascade of seeds with orange seedlings. This is how the shrub looks almost all winter.
Sherwood euonymus grows well on fertile soils of a loose structure. Can tolerate light shade, although prefers sunlit locations. The plant is winter-hardy and drought-resistant, so it feels great in the middle lane. It grows intensively, tolerates pruning well.
Euonymus European Red Cascade
A tall shrub, the size of which in adulthood reaches 3.5 m. Sometimes the European Red Cascade euonymus looks like a small tree. Leaves are usually green in summer, and turn crimson-red in autumn.The orange fruit also gives the European Red cascade euonymus a decorative edge. The plant normally tolerates transplantation, shaping. This variety is capable of being in urban environments, resistant to gas and smoke. Often used as a hedge. Perfectly complements the tree and shrub composition.
Euonymus European Red cascade is shown in the photo:
At a young age, the euonymus bush is straight, and then takes on a more round and wider shape. Flowering occurs in late May - early June. The fruits are red or pink and turn orange when ripe. They hang on the bush much longer than the leaves. Euonymus loves the sun, but it can grow in partial shade. Lives well even on acidic soils, but prefers an even distribution of moisture.
It tolerates winter well in a climate of the middle zone. The root system is branched and is close to the surface, so the bush is sensitive to soil compaction and mechanical damage.
European spindle tree: poisonous or not
The berries of the European spindle tree are poisonous, but in order to be poisoned, a person must eat them in large quantities. The plant is widely used in folk medicine - mainly its bark, foliage and seeds are used. In spindle tree laxative, insecticidal, antimicrobial, antiparasitic, antihelminthic, expectorant and diuretic action.
The seeds are used for cardiovascular insufficiency due to their digitalis-like properties. The leaves can be used topically to treat fungal skin. If you have a dry cough, then a decoction of euonymus will help, but when used in large doses, it causes poisoning. Infusions in folk medicine are also used to treat migraines, constipation, bronchitis, hepatitis, and dysbiosis. The powder made from euonymus has an antiparasitic effect and is used for skin diseases.
The leaves contain the glycoside evonimine, triglyceride triacetin (increases blood pressure), alkaloids. In the roots and bark of the plant there is a high molecular weight hydrocarbon gutta-percha, which is released as a hardening sap. The seeds contain a fatty oil.
Planting and caring for European spindle tree in the Moscow region
European spindle tree is a rather unpretentious plant to care for. He feels great in the climate of the Moscow region. Subject to certain rules in growing, the shrub will decorate the site and will not cause problems.
Planting rules for European spindle tree
It is better to purchase euonymus seedlings in specialized nurseries, so there will be a guarantee that the plant is healthy and of the desired variety. The shrub is capable of self-pollination, but fruit setting will go much more efficiently if it is not alone on the site.
Almost any soil will do, but the plant feels best on drained soils with an alkaline reaction. The lighting the place, the brighter the foliage of the bush will be colored in the fall.
Planting is usually done in the fall, but it is also possible in the spring. The hole should be dug more, in accordance with the size of the root system of the seedling. Drainage is needed at the bottom: coarse sand or pebbles. A mixture of soil for planting is prepared from turf soil, peat and sand. Peat is taken in two parts, the rest of the components one by one. It is also recommended to add lime or dolomite flour. Mineral fertilizers are applied if the soil is poor in nutrients.
A hill is made at the bottom of the pit and the roots of a European spindle tree seedling are spread along it. Then they are sprinkled with the prepared soil mixture. The planted bush must be watered. After compacting the soil, the root collar should remain at ground level.
Watering and feeding
Watering should be frequent in the first week after planting. Further, the bush needs a lot of water only during dry periods in summer.With excess moisture in the soil, the plant may begin to rot its roots. After rain or watering, the soil near the trunk must be loosened and sprinkled with peat mulch.
Fertilize the bush in spring and autumn with mineral compounds. It is also worth periodically adding ash or lime to the soil near the trunk - this reduces the acidity of the soil.
Pruning
The crown of the plant is formed in the fall at the stage of ripe fruits or in early spring. After pruning, the bush forms many young shoots.
The top of the shoots is pinched so that the bush grows in the required direction. With sanitary pruning, weak and damaged branches are removed.
Is it possible to transplant European euonymus
Young seedlings are moved to a permanent place in the 3rd year. This is done in the spring in calm weather, when the soil warms up. Spindle tree transplant cannot be combined with pruning. Bushes over 7 years old should not be touched. Such plants do not tolerate transplanting well. If the need arose, then the bush is dug in the spring with a large clod of earth and carefully moved to a new place. The plant should be watered regularly until the leaves bloom.
Preparing for winter
Until the euonymus is 3 years old, it must be covered for the winter, then the plant does not need this. It will be enough to mulch the soil with leaves or sawdust. Even if the ends of the shoots are damaged by frost, then they just need to be cut in the spring and the bush will quickly restore strength.
Why the European euonymus does not turn red
Euonymus is famous for its bright foliage in autumn. Many people start him on the site precisely because of this feature. But it happens that the leaves are only slightly colored or do not blush at all. This happens because the growing conditions are violated: the bush is planted in the shade or the soil composition is not suitable. In an open, sunny place, the plant will have foliage in bright saturated colors.
European spindle tree fruits
The fruit is located on a long peduncle and is a 4-lobed capsule. When ripe, it wilts and turns into a juicy pink color. At the end of September-October, the fruit opens and seeds appear on thin threads.
Sometimes summer residents complain that European euonymus does not bear fruit. This can happen due to the lack of pollinators or if the flowers are damaged by spring frosts.
Reproduction of European spindle tree
European spindle tree can be propagated in different ways:
- Seeds. This is the most difficult and time consuming method. Stratification will be needed, carried out in two stages: first, the seeds are kept for 3 months at a temperature of about + 10 ° C, and then at a temperature of +3 ° C. It is necessary to sow European euonymus with seeds in a substrate of leafy soil, sand, humus and turf. Young seedlings are protected from frost until they get stronger.
- Cuttings. In July, the green shoots are cut into 6 cm cuttings. They are placed in fertile soil mixed with sand, and there they take root within 45 days.
- Layers. In the spring, low-growing shoots are placed in the soil, in a specially dug groove. The branch itself must be sprinkled with earth and fixed in this position, and the top must be left in the air. Roots will appear soon.
- Root shoots. Offspring, the height of which has reached 40 cm, are suitable for these purposes. They must be separated from the mother plant in the spring.
- By dividing the bush. This method is good for undersized varieties. Divide with a shovel.
Diseases and pests
The bush is usually attacked by:
- spider mites;
- aphid;
- mealybugs;
- apple moth;
- hawthorn;
- scabbards;
- caterpillars.
You can get rid of pests with the help of insecticidal preparations, such as Actellik or Aktara. Fito-verm or Confidor will help well against mealybugs.
The most common diseases affecting euonymus are:
- Trunk rot - This is a fungus, with a serious lesion, you can lose the entire bush.The plant is dug up and burned. Treatment with Bordeaux liquid, carried out in the spring, will help.
- Powdery mildew - the disease is quite common, and it responds well to treatment. Use drugs Fundazol or colloidal sulfur.
Reviews of the European Euonymus
Conclusion
Photos and descriptions of European spindle tree indicate that this plant is not dangerous, does not require complex care and will decorate any site. Shrubs with vibrant foliage are also used in urban landscaping for their hardiness.
