Box honeysuckle vs Japanese spindle

In Central Europe its winter hardiness is the weak point: below roughly -15 °C, especially in windy, sunny frost without snow cover, the leaves scorch or drop, and around -20 °C and below the stems can die back as well. It usually resprouts from the base after a hard cut in spring, but the hedge stays bare for a while, so frost pockets and exposed lowland gardens are risky. In scorching sun and dry soil the foliage can burn. Because it grows so fast, an unclipped plant soon goes bare at the base and flops open, and branches that touch the ground take root. Powdery mildew, leaf spot and aphids may occur. It escapes from gardens here and there in Western Europe but is not on the official invasive lists of the region.

Only moderately hardy in Central Europe: at roughly -15 to -20 °C, or in strong winter sun and wind, the leaves scorch, and in a hard winter shoots can die back, especially on young and variegated plants. It usually resprouts in spring, but it is a risky hedge for cold, exposed sites. Euonymus scale is a common pest, and powdery mildew attacks dense, poorly ventilated plantings.