Euonymus japonicus ‘Aureo-marginatus’ is a vibrant evergreen shrub with broad, glossy leaves accented by striking golden-yellow margins. The dense foliage offers year-round interest, creating a visual highlight in any garden setting. Euonymus japonicus ‘Aureo-marginatus’ thrives in well-drained, fertile soils and benefits from sunlight but can tolerate partial shade, which may influence the intensity of its leaf variegation.
I. Appearance and Characteristics
Rich glossy dark-green foliage features wide yellow margins; seaside salt tolerance; a great hedge plant with light dense branches that tolerate shearing for a formal appearance, or leave to its natural shape
Gold Variegated Japanese Euonymus is a dense multi-stemmed evergreen shrub with an upright spreading habit of growth. Its relatively fine texture sets it apart from other landscape plants with less refined foliage.
This shrub will require occasional maintenance and upkeep, and can be pruned at anytime. Gardeners should be aware of the following characteristic(s) that may warrant special consideration.
Gold Variegated Japanese Euonymus has attractive dark green foliage edged in yellow on a plant with an upright spreading habit of growth. The glossy oval leaves are highly ornamental and remain dark green throughout the winter.
Gold Variegated Japanese Euonymus will grow to be about 10 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 6 feet. It tends to fill out right to the ground and therefore doesn’t necessarily require facer plants in front, and is suitable for planting under power lines. It grows at a fast rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for 40 years or more.
II. How to Grow and Care
Sunlight
Overall Euonymus varieties need diverse sun exposures, such as bigger trees and giant shrubs require more sun. Some ground cover species need a part and full shades, while some creeping species reach up to the foliage of the host plant foliage to acquire light as their need. They are medium shade tolerant.
Temperature
Dry cold winds are not favored for the growth of euonymus japonicus ‘Aureo-marginatus’, as it prefers warmer temperatures for its optimum growth potential. The annual day temperature should range between 12 to 20 ℃ whereas night temperatures range is between 4 to 12 ℃. It is fairly tolerant of freezing temperatures in the winter and less tolerant of heat. In addition, euonymus japonicus ‘Aureo-marginatus’ has average water needs. It needs water regularly but overwatering is inappropriate.
Watering
Watering needs of euonymus japonicus ‘Aureo-marginatus’ are critical during the first year of growing, once roots are established it becomes dependent on its roots for moisture absorption from the soil. Generally, euonymus japonicus ‘Aureo-marginatus’ needs 1 mm of water per day in the initial growth stages that may increase up to 3 mm per day with the established plant whereas it is capable to evaporate excessive moisture in the atmosphere. On the other hand, it is capable of withstanding drought when fully developed. Watering in the winter climates is also critical to avoid early desiccation. So keep watering, not flooding your euonymus japonicus ‘Aureo-marginatus’.
Soil
Euonymus japonicus ‘Aureo-marginatus’ is adaptable from poor to rich soil with medium water holding capacity that is well-drained and aerated. Damp calcareous soils equally favor its growth including compact and dry soils. It is also adaptable to a variety of soil pH where it can successfully grow in acidic to high alkali soils of varying pH ranging from 5.6-7.2. Euonymus japonicus ‘Aureo-marginatus’ can also grow in swamplands, bottomland hardwood forests, thickets and slopes near or on the stream banks. When it becomes fully established, it is exceptionally drought tolerant.
Fertilizing
Usually, euonymus japonicus ‘Aureo-marginatus’ doesn’t need fertilizers for its growth and development but it can be added if you are growing for the purpose of hedging in the landscape gardening during the first year only. NPK(20:20:20) is a major essential nutrients fertilizer that can be added twice to the young plants, i.e. once in the spring and then in early winter. A general recommendation is 1 tablespoon per plant.
Planting Instructions
Planting is done through digging a pit of suitable size at the selected location in the garden that is well aerated and suits the needs of the variety being planted. Dig a pit double the size (in-depth and width) of the pot carrying your plant. Remove all garden soil out of the pit to make an even surface for planting.
Add 5 to 8 cm of the similar garden soil into the pit that was previously removed before placing your plant into the pit, gently. Fill in the pit with remaining garden soil to the surface of the garden soil. Water frequently till the newly added soil becomes settled into the pit.
Keep on watering for the initial 4-5 days and add more garden soil to the desired pit level as needed. Water your plants during the first year of growth regularly until it establishes its root system. The spacing of euonymus japonicus ‘Aureo-marginatus’ to establish hedges is recommended 1 to 1.3 m apart while spacing for the shrubs or small trees is often observed from 2.5 to 3 m apart.
Pruning
Pruning is often practiced on the euonymus japonicus ‘Aureo-marginatus’ grown for hedge formation in the landscapes. Medium to heavy pruning is advised if the purpose is to shape or topiary formation otherwise it goes well unpruned. Winter is the best pruning and trimming time for the euonymus japonicus ‘Aureo-marginatus’ other than evergreen shrubs.
Transplanting
Euonymus japonicus ‘Aureo-marginatus’ thrives when transplanted from early spring through late spring or from late fall to early winter due to moderate temperatures. Choose a sunny spot with well-draining soil for optimal growth. Ensure roots are undisturbed during relocation.
III. Uses and Benefits
This evergreen shrub displays dense, bold green and gold variegated foliage on an upright growth habit, it is an excellent choice for a colorful hedge.
