Spindle tree (Euonymus)
Euonymus bonsai are rarely offered. Not quite understandable, since many properties of the spindle tree are fine for bonsai styling.
The European spindle tree (botanical Euonymus europaeus, family spindle trees - Celastraceae) is a deciduous shrub or small tree up to 5 m height. It is widely distributed in Europe and can be found in deciduous forests.
The spindle tree is blooming with inconspicuous, greenish white flowers in April. Much more decorative are the red fruits in autumn. They look like a bishop's miter and still hanging long after the leafs fallen down. After cutting Euonymus bonsai get fast a lot of new buds and smaller leafs. This, the red leaves in autuum and the decorative fruits are the reason why an Euonymus bonsai is one of our favorite species. Euonymus is an outdoor bonsai and very hardy. It can tolerate very low temperatures down to -10°C well. During winter for this tree a place in an unheated foil tent is fine.
Picture 1: Euonymus bonsai: Fruits end of october
Picture 2: Euonymus bonsai: Red leaves end of october