Common name: Japanese Spindle 'Microphyllus Albovariegatus'

Description: This compact evergreen shrub offers refined elegance with its small, glossy leaves edged in crisp white variegation. The tiny oval leaves create a dense, fine-textured appearance, and the white margins provide bright, clean contrast against the dark green centres. The naturally compact, slow-growing habit makes this ideal for small gardens, containers, or formal situations where tight, neat growth is desired. The plant requires minimal pruning to maintain its shape and responds well to clipping, making it excellent for low hedging, edging, or topiary work. Small greenish-white flowers may appear in summer, though they are relatively inconspicuous. This is an exceptionally hardy and trouble-free evergreen that provides year-round structure and brightness, particularly valuable for illuminating shaded areas or creating formal accents in contemporary gardens. The compact size makes this perfect for Japanese-style gardens or contemporary minimalist plantings.

Other benefits: compact habit, white-variegated foliage, excellent for topiary and hedging, very low maintenance, year-round structure, tolerates clipping

Wildlife attraction: provides shelter for small birds and insects

Height & spread (approx.) at 10 years: 0.6m x 0.5m

Position: full sun to partial shade; variegation best in good light

Soil pH: adaptable to most soils; performs well in neutral to slightly alkaline conditions

Moisture: moderate watering required; adaptable once established; prefers well-drained soil

Winter hardiness: very cold hardy to -20°C