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Spindleberry

Plant

Spindle berries

Euonymus europaeus

The common spindleberry is a large native shrub that is found in hedgerows and scrub, particularly on alkaline soils. Its narrow leaves turn reddish purple in autumn and it has unusual-shaped, bright pink fruits. Look for Euonymus europaeus 'Red Cascade' which is richly fruiting, and grows up to around 2 metres tall.

You could create a border for autumn and winter interest by planting it next to red-stemmed cornus, with which it often grows naturally in the wild.

If you garden in the north on neutral or acid soils, a good alternative is the rowan or mountain ash, which also has good autumn colour and berries.

Vital statistics

Native: Yes
Flowers: Delicate pink flowers
Fruits: Unusual-shaped bright pink fruits

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