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European Spindle Wikimedia Commons
Celastraceae

European Spindle

Euonymus europaeus

craft and industriousness.

Family
Celastraceae
Genus
Euonymus
Native to
Europe, Western Asia
Bloom season
Spring, Summer
Type
deciduous shrub or small tree
Height
3-6 m
Sunlight
full sun to partial shade
Soil
well-drained, chalk, loam
Water
moderate
Hardiness
3-7
Lifespan
perennial

Did you know

  • The name spindle comes from the traditional use of its hard wood to make spindles for spinning wool and knitting needles.
  • The autumn fruit capsules split open to reveal bright orange seeds dangling on threads, creating an extraordinary display.
  • The brilliant coral-pink autumn foliage rivals any North American maple for intensity of color.
  • All parts of the plant contain alkaloids that can cause cardiac problems in humans but birds eat the seeds safely.
  • Artists historically made the finest charcoal for detailed drawing from spindle wood, and it is still sold for this purpose today.

Color meanings

0

craft

1

industriousness

2

your charm is engraved on my heart

3

creativity

Uses

  • ornamental
  • hedging
  • artist charcoal
  • traditional crafts