Euonymus

Deciduous euonymus are shrubs or small trees with brilliant autumn leaf colour in shades of red or pink. Their decorative fruits split open to reveal colourful seeds. Evergreen euonymus are shrubs, either upright or low and wide, with glossy green or brightly variegated leaves all year round.

They grow in any well-drained soil, and many can tolerate dry sites. They are generally tough, resilient shrubs, with options that will thrive in most situations, from full sun to shade.

Euonymus generally dislike permanently wet soil. Variegated forms become leggy or straggly in deep shade, as they strive for more light.

Euonymus, especially E. alatus and E. europaeus, thrive on chalky soil, so are especially valuable as many other shrubs noted for brilliant autumn colour need acid soil. Most can also cope in exposed sites, so are good choices for coastal gardens.