Japanese Spindle Tree, Euonymus sieboldianus. Size: 23 inches. Estimated age: 40 years.
There are well over 100 different species of Euonymus found throughout the world. They vary from ground covers to small trees; some have evergreen foliage, but most species are deciduous shrubs. The Japanese spindle tree is an unusual species because of its large, coral-colored fruit, which begins to form in late summer. In early autumn the fruits become plump and slowly open, revealing a bright orange seed in the center of each. The small, colorful seeds often remain well into winter. This bonsai was started from a small rooted cutting purchased in Seattle, Washington, in 1984 and has been completely container grown and trained.