Spindle (Euonymus europaeus)

Our range of Spindle bare root plants (Euonymus europeaus)

We have bare root Spindle plants in several sizes and specifications.  

The 1U1 specification plants are seedlings which were planted from seed in the spring and instead of being sold in the following November to April period they are kept in situ in our fields and grown on for a further year or longer which makes a strong bushy plant.

We also have Spindle as a transplant (1+1) which are seedlings, lifted in the winter when we manually trim their roots and then we replant them in spring in a different area of our farm with wider spacing to give each plant access to more space, moisture and nutrients and this makes for a bushy, strong plant.  If you are claiming a grant under the Countryside Stewardship scheme, you need to order 1+1 plants.

We often have several batches of seed provenance for this species including UK provenance and sometimes some of the highest quality imported seed, so if the seed provenance is important to you, please give us a call.

All of the above plants are grown by us in Herefordshire.

We also have cell grown Spindle plants which are grown by one of the UK's best specialist growers. Cell grown plants are available all year round.

You can read more about the various specifications we offer in each species on the tab just below our pricing table to the right of this product description.

Spindle (Euonymus europaeus) Summary

Spindle is a great addition to any hedgerow or woodland with stunning autumn colour, thanks to the abundant eye popping pink capsules and orange coated seeds which persist long after the leaves drop, and a great deal of wildlife value.  Its common name derives from the fact that its wood was made into spinning spindles.

It would be unusual to see a country hedge with a large proportion of Spindle in it, but a smattering here and there is good for wildlife and adds an attractive autumn colour via the red leaves and stunning berries.

Soil and situation

Less commonly found in Scotland, Spindle is found across all of England and Wales on chalkier soils although it will tolerate all other soil types.  It flowers and berries best in full sun or light partial shade.

Leaves, flowers and fruit

The leaves are oval with a pointed tip and very fine serrations on the edges and it has overall a slightly wavy appearance.  They turn a good dark red colour in autumn.

Flowers are small, greenish/yellow and are held in large clusters.

The berries are the most striking aspect of Spindle – shocking pink fruits enclose bright orange seeds – a clashing combination sure to catch the eye.  Please note that the fruits are toxic to humans and horses.

The stems are a distinctive feature with grey corky bark and ridges along the length.

Eventual height and growth rate

Spindle will grow up to about 7m in ideal conditions but more often matures at about 4m, with a quite slow growth rate.

This section gives definitions on the specifications of plants that we sell.  We are specialists in field grown (or bare root) plants which are grown in two ways.  The majority are grown from seed, some are ready within one growing season (seedlings or 1+0's) and some species require two growing seasons (1u1's).  In addition to growing from seed we also grow from small plants or cuttings (transplants) which are much more widely spaced (taking more land, more irrigation water, fertilisers and labour).  There are only a handful of bare root wholesale nurseries in the UK and of those even fewer grow transplants but Ray Jenkins has many years' experience of transplanting so we grow these in large volumes.  Ray has written this blog about the benefits of bare root plants and how they are grown and another blog which gives further detail on bare root specifications.

The detailed specifications are shown below.  If you are in doubt about what specification to use please email us on enquiries@rjtreesandhedging.co.uk with a description of the project (and photos if appropriate) and we will advise you.

1+0 - field grown in one season from seed, known as a seedling (sometimes called a whip), generally a slender single stem plant.   These are the cheapest specification and are particularly suitable for planting where weed competition will be less intense, soil is shallow or on exposed windy sites.  Gives a high root to shoot ratio and minimal plant "check".

2+0 - a 2 year seedling, field grown from seed in the same seed bed in two growing seasons where the species cannot be grown to a saleable plant from seed in one season

1U1 - 2 year old plant called an undercut, field grown for two seasons in the same seed bed and undercut by machine (a sharp blade cutting the roots under the soil level) after the first year to develop the root structure. We do this with several species which take 2 years to develop (eg oak, beech, hornbeam)

1+1 - 2 year old plant (transplant) grown from seed in the first year and then transplanted into a different area of the field and spaced out for the second growing season - a robust plant with a larger and more robust root system than seedling or undercut plant which will enable it to better withstand drought and weed competition. Often the best choice and the staple norm for farm hedging and this specification is a requirement of the Countryside Stewardship Grant

1+2- a 3 year old plant, two years field growing in the seedbed and then transplanted (and spaced out) for a further two growing seasons giving a tall, stocky, bushy plant

2+1- a 3 year old plant, two years field growing in the seedbed and then transplanted (and spaced out) for a further growing season, giving a strong bushy plant

3+1 - as above but field grown for a further growing season for more height and a very bushy plant

1+3- 4 year old, one year field growing in the seed beds and then transplanted (and spaced out) for three years, giving a very strong, bushy plant

2+2- 4 year old, two years field growing in the seed beds and then transplanted (and spaced out) for a further two years - a very mature plant suited to certain species like beech and hornbeam where we can offer almost instant hedging

and some that are a bit different.....

P9 - a plant grown in a greenhouse or polytunnel in a 9cm pot (for holly which germinates poorly in the field)

Cell grown - a plant grown in small deep cells (like a small yogurt pot) and then lifted out of those for transportation. Commonly used in forestry and large hedging projects.  Very high quality plants with excellent success rate.  See our blog on the benefits of cell grown plants.

C+1 or C+2 - a 3 or 4 year old plant initally started as hardwood cuttings grown on for a year as cell grown plants and then lined out in fields to grow on for a further 1 or 2 years (a technique used for Cherry Laurel)

0/1 - a hardwood cutting, then field grown for one season (for example for white willow, black poplar and osier)