Aziz's Forest: How Wedding Favours Became a Garden Hedge

At a friend's wedding, the guests were given Euonymus seedlings as favours. I took the leftovers home. The plants growing from that day in my garden carry the name "Aziz's Forest" — a nod to Aziz who gave them, and a fitting name for the dense, lush green they've become.

What Is Euonymus japonicus?

Also known as Japanese spindle, Euonymus japonicus is an evergreen shrub native to Japan and Korea. The variegated yellow-green cultivars are very common in ornamental gardens. Its dense, compact growth habit and excellent tolerance of pruning make it ideal as a hedge plant. With USDA hardiness of zones 6–9, it is perfectly suited to Sakarya's climate.

As a Hedge

Euonymus offers many advantages as a hedge: it grows quickly, takes any shape, and provides year-round privacy with its evergreen foliage. One trim a year is enough; the more frequently it is cut, the denser the hedge becomes. In our garden it has formed a solid boundary wall.

Scale Insects and Solutions

The biggest enemy of Euonymus is Euonymus scale. It sucks plant sap, causing yellowing leaves, white scale coverings on stems, and eventually branch dieback. Solutions: scrape off light infestations by hand; cut heavily infested branches. Apply horticultural oil at 3–4% in winter dormancy or 2% in spring. Use contact insecticides three times at 10-day intervals when crawlers are confirmed. Powdery mildew is also common — improve air circulation and apply sulphur or copper fungicide if needed.

Care Summary

• Sun: Full sun or partial shade.
• Soil: Moist, fertile, well-drained. Adapts to almost any soil type.
• Watering: Twice a week in the first year; once a week once established.
• Pruning: Once a year; more frequent trimming produces a denser hedge.