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Golden Euonymus Shrub for Sale - Buying & Growing Guide

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Euonymus japonicus 'Aureomarginatus'

The golden euonymus shrub, known to botanists as Euonymus japonicus 'Aureomarginatus,' is one of the most impressive foliage plants you can grow in your garden. This cultivated shrub variety is best known for its incredible foliage, which shows vibrant shades of green and gold during most of the growing season. This plant is also quite easy to maintain, as it has low water and fertilization needs. You also won't need to wait long for your golden euonymus to develop —this plant is fast-growing and develops with a dense, rounded form. 

  • Its bright foliage shows shades of green and gold for most of the year.
  • The golden euonymus shrub is very easy to care for.
  • It has dense growth and a rounded form.
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Plant Care

Sunlight

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The golden euonymus shrub grows in both full sunlight and partial shade settings.

Watering

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Established trees have very low water needs. Newly planted shrubs should receive water once per week.

Fertilizing

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Fertilization needs are low. Consider applying a balanced fertilizer once per year in the fall.

Planting and Care

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by John Haryasz | Horticulture Writer and Landscape Designer – last update on August 16, 2022

Planting instructions

While it’s entirely possible for the golden euonymus shrub to survive well in partial shade, it is far more advantageous for this plant to grow in an area that receives at least six hours of direct sunlight per day. Golden euonymus shrubs survive in most growing locations that fall within hardiness zones 6 through 9. The best kind of soil for this shrub is moist but well-draining, with plenty of available nutrients. Be careful about spacing with this plant, as when conditions are right, it can grow very quickly and may begin to overcrowd plants that grow too close by.

Watering and nutrients

After you plant your golden euonymus shrub, you should plan to give it water about once per week or twice per week, depending on the weather and how well your plant appears to adapt to its new growing location. Once this plant has become established, you may not need to water it at all, except during times of extreme heat or drought. Fertilization for the golden euonymus shrub is also a simple matter. All you’ll need to do is apply a balanced, general-purpose fertilizer once per year in the fall.

Pollination

The flowers of the golden euonymus shrub bloom during early summer and attract several pollinator species, including bees, flies, and other insects. Those flowers are perfect, meaning that they have both male and female reproductive structures and are able to conduct self-pollination. When pollination occurs, the golden euonymus shrub will develop a set of small pink fruits. While these fruits are of little to no edible value to humans, they will provide an excellent food source for birds during later summer and fall.

Pruning

Generally, most golden euonymus shrubs will not need too much pruning to survive. Instead, the most common goal when pruning this shrub is to control its overall shape and size. Fortunately, the golden euonymus shrubs respond quite well to heavy pruning, meaning you can cut it back significantly without worrying about harming the plant. Typically, it’s best to prune the golden euonymus shrub during the late winter or early spring before it exits its dormant phase.

Pests, diseases, and animals

While the golden euonymus shrub is mostly an easy-to-care-for plant, it can have some significant issues with pests, diseases, and animals. Euonymus scale insects are a pressing concerns for this shrub, but other insects, like mites, leaf miners, aphids, mealybugs, and others, can cause infestations. Diseases may also arise in this plant, the most common of which are powdery mildew, crown gall, and leaf sport. Additionally, the golden euonymus shrub is known to be vulnerable to deer browsing.

Achieving maximum results

It’s true that a golden euonymus shrub will survive in partial shade. However, partial shade conditions can result in underwhelming foliage colors and a somewhat loose growth habit. By contrast, a full sun growing location will yield brighter leaves and a more compact shape. The only exception to this is in the hottest parts of this plant’s growing range. In those warmer zones, some occasional shade can be quite beneficial to prevent heat-related complications like leaf scorch.

FAQs

What does the golden euonymus shrub's name mean?

There is a straightforward explanation behind the golden euonymus shrub's common name. The word golden refers to the golden margins on this plant's leaves. The word euonymus is the genus to which this plant belongs. The botanical name, Euonymus japonicus 'Aureomarginatus,' also references the golden leaves. The last term in that name, which identifies this plant as a cultivar, is a Latinized term, the prefix of which, aureo, translates directly to mean golden in English.

Is the golden euonymus shrub poisonous?

One downside to the golden euonymus shrub is that it contains toxins. While it is incredibly rare for people to experience severe health complications due to contact with this plant, the leaves and fruits of this plant do contain poison, which, when consumed in high enough quantities, can be quite dangerous. If you have pets or small children, it's best to monitor them to ensure they do not ingest any part of your golden euonymus shrub.

Is the golden euonymus shrub invasive?

The golden euonymus shrub is considered invasive in some locations, which is why you should check the invasive status of this plant in your area before you plant it. However, while this plant has invasive tendencies, it is not as much of a problem as some other related euonymus plants. For instance, the winged euonymus, better known as burning bush, and the golden euonymus's parent species, Japanese euonymus, are both far more notorious for their invasive behaviors.

Mature height
5-10 ft.
Mature width
4-8 ft.
Sunlight requirement
Full-Partial
Growth rate
Fast
Botanical name
Euonymus japonicus 'Aureomarginatus'
Shipping exclusions
AZ,OR
Grows Well In Zones
6-9
map
Growing Zones: 6-9 i Growing zones help determine if a particular plant is likely to grow well in a location. It identifies the average annual minimum winter temperatures across the U.S. provided as a map by the USDA.
(hardy down to -10°F)

Golden Euonymus Shrub

Euonymus japonicus 'Aureomarginatus'
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