As the golden hues of October fade and the days grow shorter, many gardens begin to retreat into shades of brown and grey. But if you take a stroll through the Jersey hedgerows or along a woodland edge this month, you might spot a flash of colour so bright it looks almost artificial. This is Euonymus europaeus, better known as the Common Spindle or European Spindle.
For November 2025, we are celebrating this spectacular native gem that brings a final, fiery flourish to the year while acting as a vital lifeline for our local wildlife.
A Masterpiece of Pink and Orange
The Spindle is most famous for its extraordinary fruit. While other trees bear red berries or brown nuts, the Spindle produces distinctive, four-lobed seed husks in a shocking shade of vivid pink.
As November progresses, these husks split open to reveal shiny, electric-orange seeds (known as arils) hanging inside. This “clashing” colour combination is one of nature’s boldest designs, specifically evolved to catch the eye of hungry birds who help disperse the seeds across the countryside.
A Year-Round Performer
- Spring: In May and June, the Spindle produces clusters of small, four-petalled green flowers. While they are subtle to the human eye, they are a rich source of nectar for various insects.
- Summer: It provides a lush, dense backdrop of lance-shaped leaves, offering perfect nesting sites for birds.
- Autumn: This is the Spindle’s “showstopper” season. The foliage turns a dramatic, fiery red or deep purple. Simultaneously, it produces its iconic bright pink, four-lobed husks which split open to reveal vivid orange seeds. It is one of the most striking color combinations in the natural world.
- Winter: Even after the leaves fall, the colorful fruits often persist into the colder months, and the intricate, sometimes “winged” green twigs provide structural interest in a frost-covered garden.
A Sanctuary for Wildlife
In Jersey and across the UK, the Spindle is a heavyweight in the world of biodiversity. It is a “one-stop shop” for local creatures:
- For the Birds: Those iconic orange seeds are packed with the fats and proteins that birds like Robins, Blackbirds, and Thrushes need to survive the coming winter.
- For the Insects: Its nectar-rich spring flowers are a favourite for bees and hoverflies. It is also the primary host for the Spindle Ermine Moth; you might sometimes see their intricate, silvery webs protecting their caterpillars in late summer.
- For the Mammals: Even long-tailed field mice and red foxes have been known to forage for the fallen seeds at the base of the tree.
Bringing the Spindle Home
The Spindle is an easy-going choice for any garden. It is tough, wind-resistant, and thrives in the sandy or chalky soils often found in coastal areas.
- Position: It loves sunlight to ensure the best berry production, but it’s perfectly happy in dappled shade.
- Care: Minimal pruning is required—just a light tidy-up in late winter to remove any crossing branches.
