The Japanese spindle bush is both hardy and evergreen, making it an ornament for any winter garden. However, you should protect it from excessively hard frost and cold winds. This is especially true for potted plants.
Is the Japanese spindle bush hardy?
The Japanese spindle bush is hardy and evergreen, but requires winter protection such as leaves or brushwood in cold regions. Water sparingly but regularly in winter and protect potted plants from frostbite with insulation.
The spindle bush is very versatile and decorative. Sometimes the foliage is multicolored or shows a particularly beautiful color in autumn. Some types of spindle bushes are ideal for planting hedges or espaliers. Unfortunately, the spindle bush is poisonous. This is something to keep in mind if you have small children or pets.
How do you care for the Japanese spindle bush in winter?
The Japanese spindle bush is hardy, but actually prefers warmth. Therefore, give it a little winter protection if you live in a cold region. A thick layer of leaves or brushwood is enough. In a warm location, for example if you live in a wine-growing region, you can safely do without winter protection.
Container plants are particularly susceptible to cold. During a long period of frost the roots can easily freeze. You can easily prevent this by wrapping the plant pot on all sides with an old blanket or with bubble wrap (€34.00 on Amazon), especially from below. Alternatively, you can overwinter your Japanese spindle bush in a cold greenhouse.
Water your Japanese spindle bush only a little in winter, but don't do without it completely during the frost-free period. Many garden owners think that their evergreen plants froze to death in winter, but instead they died of thirst because water evaporated through the leaves but the plants were not watered at all.
The best winter tips for the Japanese spindle bush:
- Winter protection only necessary in cold regions
- Protect roots of potted plants from frostbite
- water only a little
- don't forget to water during the frost-free period
Tip
If you have a cold greenhouse, it is best to overwinter your Japanese spindle bush planted in a pot in it. There it gets enough light and the roots are protected from freezing.
