The spindle bush does not require much care. There are evergreen and deciduous varieties, some that can be planted as ground cover and others that can be planted as hedges. You are sure to find the right species for your garden.
How do you properly care for a spindle bush?
For optimal care of a spindle bush, it requires a sunny, warm location, moderate watering, regular fertilization in spring and early summer, well-rotted compost or horn shavings and is well suited for hedge planting. The shrub is particularly decorative in autumn.
Planting the spindle bush
The spindle bush prefers a warm, sunny location. It also thrives in partial shade, but is not as strong and flowers less. Some varieties, such as the Japanese spindle bush, lose the intensity of their pretty leaf coloring. Other species require a relatively large amount of space because they grow very wide. When planting in a hedge, plan around 50 cm per plant.
Before planting, water the root balls thoroughly and dig a sufficiently large planting hole. Add some well-rotted compost or humus and place the spindle bush in the planting hole. Then pat the soil firmly and water the shrub generously.
Water and fertilize the spindle bush
Later, it will be enough if you water your spindle bush moderately. If the leaves droop a bit during a longer dry period, water a little more. However, you should definitely avoid waterlogging. The spindle bush is one of the relatively few garden plants that like calcareous water. In the winter months, reduce the amount of water.
You can protect the soil around your spindle bush from drying out with a layer of mulch. During spring and early summer, give it a dose of liquid fertilizer approximately every 14 days (€18.00 on Amazon). From July onwards, reduce the fertilizer application again. In spring and autumn, your spindle bush will be happy about a portion of well-rotted compost or some horn shavings.
Propagate the spindle bush
The propagation of the spindle bush is not difficult, but it requires a little patience, especially sowing. It is easier to dig up small plants under the bush that have sown themselves there. Propagation by cuttings or root sprouts is also possible.
The most important things in brief:
- sunny, warm location
- water moderately
- fertilize regularly in spring/early summer
- well suited for hedge planting
Tip
In autumn, the spindle bush is particularly decorative with its colorful foliage and striking fruits.
