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Euonymous japonicus 'Microphyllus Albovariegatus' - can it be kept small?

NollieNollie Posts: 7,529
in Plants
Bought this little shrub at the local GC as a potential border edging because it’s small-leaved and rather neat. I’ve since read it can get to 1x1m - the perils of impulse buys!

Does anyone have it and/or know if it takes well to being clipped small and rounded with pruning? I’m thinking maximum 40x40cm but I don’t know if that’s realistic. Burncoose do say on their website it can be used as a box substitute, so sounds possible, maybe??


Mountainous Northern Catalunya, Spain. Hot summers, cold winters.

Posts

  • madpenguinmadpenguin Posts: 2,543
    It would take a long time to get to 1m (several years).
    I keep mine clipped and it seems to respond well to a hard prune if necessary.
    “Every day is ordinary, until it isn't.” - Bernard Cornwell-Death of Kings
  • GardenerSuzeGardenerSuze Posts: 5,692
    @Nollie I wouldn't clip it tight like box. Trim a little here and there to keep shape if you cut it all at once you will finish up with a look that resembles stalks.  As I am sure you know it's name suggests it is a slow grower. It is often used here in mixed pot displays.
    Not sure it would be completly happy here over a cold wet winter, I have seen them taken out of pot displays planted in the ground and given up.
    I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
  • NollieNollie Posts: 7,529
    Thanks @madpenguin and @GardenerSuze, so keep it trimmed but not tightly and hard prune if necessary. Roughly what size do you maintain yours at madpenguin? I was hoping on the slow growth of Euonymous applied to this one too so that’s good to know.

    It is meant to be hardy to -15c Suze and my winters tend to be dry so hopefully it will do better for me than the Hebe Green Globes which suffered this winter past!
    Mountainous Northern Catalunya, Spain. Hot summers, cold winters.
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