Common name: spindle tree, European spindle. Spindle tree gets its common name from the use of its long, slender stems, spinning sheep’s wool.

Botanical name: Euonymus europaeus is the botanical name given by the taxonomic botanist, Carl Linne. It can be translated from Latin as ‘good name’ or ‘suitable name.’

Family: The plant family, to which Euonymus belongs is part of the Celastraceae, which contain mostly vines from tropical areas but many euonymus species that grow in Europe, Japan and North America are hardy and resistant to cold weather.

Garden value

The wild spindle is not grown often in gardens because it tends to be straggly but there is a more compact form, called ‘Red Cascade’ which is usually prolific in fruit. There are other species that are quite like the wild spindle but making trees of better shape.

Easily the most popular of these is the winged spindle, Euonymus alatus, from China, which has corky wings along the young branches.

It is one of the best autumn colour trees, reliably turning to blazing shades of red in October even on limy soil. It carries little or no fruit but the colour of the leaves alone makes it worthwhile growing.

It makes a small tree or large bush, to two metres or so, usually on one stem, and it is ideal for a small garden or where space is limited. If it gets too big, the branches can be thinned out and some shortened and it will re-sprout well.

Though not common and only occasionally offered by garden centres, Euonymus phellomanus is similar to the winged spindle but a bigger plant with larger leaves.

The species Euonymus planipes is another beauty that makes a nicely shaped small tree with good autumn colour in yellow, orange and red shades.

‘Red Elf’ carries masses of fruit and the leaves turn to pretty shades of yellow and red in autumn.

Growing spindle trees

It is a somewhat straggly tree with long, whippy shoots often growing unevenly in various directions, and it is not very decorative when it is not in fruit. But with a good show of berries on board, it can be remarkable.

This year, the show of berries is truly exceptional. They are varied shades of dark pink-red, starting out brighter red and fading a little.

Each of the fruits has four lobes like blunt corners.

The wild spindle is not grown often in gardens because it tends to be straggly but there is a more compact form, called ‘Red Cascade’

Usually one or more of the lobes has a seed inside when the lobe splits and the bright-orange seeds are revealed. These are retained for a while by a thread that eventually breaks and the seeds fall to the ground. The combination of soft crimson-pink and bright orange is very pretty.

These trees are easy to grow in any ordinary garden soil that is reasonably well drained. They like limey soil but also grow well in acidic soil. If the soil does not suit it, euonymus does badly, hardly growing.

The trees carry more fruit and give better autumn colour when grown in sunshine. Make sure to allow space for the tree to make its mature size of about four metres tall and three metres wide.

Late-flowering myrtle

Myrtle is one of a relatively small number of plants that were known to the ancient civilisations of Mediterranean, and it was much prized.

That this should be so is not altogether surprising because it is a charming little tree with fragrant flowers and scented evergreen leaves.

The leaves are relatively small, which is useful when requiring a shrub, to fit in with others. It is versatile too often planted as a hedge, but more normally stand-alone large bush or small tree. It will only make two metres or so in as many decades.

The flowers are a delight. The stamens are very fine and light and contrast well with the foliage and white ball-shaped petals from which the stamens emerge.

Being native to the Mediterranean region, it may be expected that myrtle would be susceptible to damage by frost, and that is the case. Plant close to a wall for protection. Flowers will not appear in the plant’s early years.

To-do-list

Trees, shrubs and roses

Young trees and shrubs struggled a little during stop/start weather in summer and could be given a liquid feed for a late-season boost to make growth as late as possible for winter reserves. Spells of cold winds have held back growth too and many trees are still showing signs of damage.

Flowers

It might be possible to get another month out of hanging baskets by giving a late liquid feed now. Hardy annual flowers, such as calendula and California poppy can be sown now. Buy and plant spring bulbs as soon as possible to encourage rooting immediately.

Fruit, vegetables and herbs

If vegetables have gone over, pull them up and compost them, but not if they have root diseases, such as white rot of onion. It is time for planting spring cabbage which benefits from making root growth while there is still a little heat in the ground. Lift potatoes before small underground slugs become more active, and the soil becomes sticky for lifting.

Lawns

Keep on mowing as necessary — there is a second peak of grass growth at this time in most years and it thickens up the grass sward before winter. Apply autumn lawn fertiliser to increase soil fertility.