Euonymus alatus
The Winged Spindle is from Eastern Asia, it has a rounded habit with horizontal branches and grows to about 2.5 meters tall. It has dark green summer foliage with fire red autumn colour which gives the shrub one of its other common name Fire Bush.
Styles and Sizes: The Winged Spindles Scarlet red autumn colours and unique winged branches make this a highly sought-after bonsai. It can be found in small to medium sizes and in most upright and cascade styles.
Position: To get the most of its autumn blaze it is best to grow the winged spindle in a full sun aspect. If it is like that there would be a hard frost plant if temperatures are likely to fall below -4°C it’s best to protect the bonsai in a cool greenhouse.
Watering: Water thoroughly in the morning. Do not let the Winged Spindle dry out as it could drop some of it leaves and a branch or two.
Feeding: Feed twice a month with a balanced liquid organic fertiliser or every couple of months with an organic pellet-based fertiliser.
Repotting: Repot older specimens every 2-3 years. Use a well-drained humus-rich soil use 1part loam, 1 part sharp sand, 1 part bark or leaf mould. Alternatively, you can use 2 parts Akadama, 1 Part Pumice.
Pruning: Styling is best carried out with the ‘clip and grow’ method, and pruning is carried out when current-year branches have fully extended. Prune back to leave 3 later shoots or 3 active nodes. Winged spindle responds well to pruning and ramifies thoroughly.
Wiring: wiring is best avoided as it will damage the delicate spindle bark and this species responds well to the clip and grow method of styling.