General: The european spindle is found naturally in Europe and as far as Asia Minor. In Germany it often grows in hedges, as field trees or on the edges of forests. The growth is mostly shrub-like and sometimes a small tree also develops. The plant is actually inconspicuous, but ultimately stands out due to its great fruits and the very beautiful autumn color. The fruits are pink to carmine-red, 4-lobed fruit capsules that burst open in winter and reveal the red core. The european spindle is frost hardy and very robust. It prefers moist, nutrient-rich soils and loves lime.
Care as a bonsai: The special thing about the european spindle is its fruit decoration. This is very decorative and sticks to the plants for a very long time from August. The colorful autumn colors with a mixture of delicate to bright yellow and red tones are also very beautiful. The young shoots are green with light cork strips and the trunk is smooth and sometimes almost white when old. Unfortunately, the european spindle does not like to branch out on its own. It must therefore be cut back consistently. The wiring should also be done in good time, as older shoots become very hard and can then no longer be bent. The rooting is intensive and the plants should be repotted regularly. The spider moth is very common in the springtime. Corresponding webs containing the leaf-eating caterpillars can easily be removed by hand.
