Euonymus JAPONICUS 'AUREOMARGINATA'

Euonymus JAPONICUS - Golden-margined Japanese spindle, Euonymus japonicus 'Aureomarginatus', Golden euonymus.

Can be grown as a bonsai!

Euonymus is a genus of woody plants in the family Celastraceae. It includes about 130 species and is distributed in temperate and subtropical regions of Asia, Europe, and North America.

Plants of this genus are represented by shrubs, less often small trees, with erect or spreading stems. The leaves are entire, more often leathery, simple, opposite or whorled. In autumn, many species acquire vibrant foliage coloration.

Flowering occurs in spring or early summer. The flowers are small, usually greenish-white, gathered in small inflorescences. The fruits are capsules with red, orange, or pink seeds, often with a brightly colored fleshy aril.

Golden-margined Japanese spindle is an evergreen shrub up to 1.5-2 m (4.9-6.6 ft) in height. The shoots are erect, densely leafy. The leaves are leathery, oval, up to 6 cm (2.4 in) long, with a dark green center and a bright golden border along the edge. The coloration persists year-round, becoming especially bright in spring and summer.

Flowering occurs in May-June. The flowers are small, greenish-white, gathered in sparse axillary inflorescences. The fruits are three-valved capsules with bright orange seeds inside. The seeds are rounded, smooth, and glossy.

Seeds are stratified before sowing: they are mixed with moist sand and kept at a temperature of around +4 °C (39 °F) for 2-3 months. Then they are sown to a depth of 1-1.5 cm (0.4-0.6 in) in a loose substrate based on peat and sand. The container is covered with glass or film. Regular ventilation is maintained. Germination temperature is kept at 20-22 °C (68-72 °F).

Seedlings appear after 6-8 weeks. After the appearance of 2-3 true leaflets, pricking out into individual containers is carried out. Young plants are provided with even watering and good diffused lighting.

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Growing in sunny locations or in light partial shade is recommended. Indoors, the plant is placed in a bright spot with the possibility of light shade during midday hours. In open ground, preference is given to wind-sheltered areas.

During the warm season, a temperature of 20-26 °C (68-79 °F) is maintained. In winter indoors, the temperature should not fall below 5-8 °C (41-46 °F). Watering is carried out regularly after the top layer of substrate dries out. In winter, watering is reduced, avoiding waterlogging.

A loose fertile substrate with the addition of humus and sand is used. Repotting is carried out in spring once every 2-3 years using the potting-on method. Drainage is mandatory to ensure good air exchange at the roots.

From spring to late summer, complex fertilizers are applied every 2-3 weeks. In autumn and winter, feeding is not performed. With excess nitrogen, fading of leaf coloration in variegated forms is possible.

Sanitary and shaping pruning is carried out to maintain a compact bush habit. Propagation is done by seeds, cuttings, or layering. When growing indoors, cutting propagation is preferred.