Euonymus Green Spire vs Jean Hugues: Which Hedge to Buy?

Green Spire and Jean Hugues are both dark green Euonymus japonicus varieties and both make excellent Box alternatives. The real difference is shape.

Quick Answer

Green Spire and Jean Hugues are both dark green, glossy Euonymus japonicus varieties that make excellent Box alternatives. Green Spire is narrower and more upright, giving the most Box-like finish for edging, parterres and tight spaces. Jean Hugues is slightly broader and bushier, which suits a fuller, softer low hedge. Both grow about 10–20cm a year and are sold pot grown, with root-balled plants in season.

Reviewed by Gwynne Bodsworth • Last updated 20 October 2026

Quick Facts

Most Box-like	Green Spire
Fuller, bushier shape	Jean Hugues
Growth rate	About 10–20cm a year for both
Box blight	Neither is affected
Root types	Pot grown, seasonal root ball

The short version

Choose Euonymus Green Spire if you want the narrowest, most upright and most Box-like hedge, for example along a path, around a parterre or in a tight space. Choose Euonymus Jean Hugues if you want the same dark green, glossy look with a slightly fuller, bushier outline that fills out a little faster sideways.

Side by side

	Green Spire	Jean Hugues
Habit	Narrow and upright	Slightly broader and bushier
Leaves	Small, glossy, dark green	Dense, glossy, dark green
Growth	About 10–20cm a year	About 10–20cm a year
Typical hedge height	About 20cm–1m	About 30cm–1m
Closest to Box	Yes, our first choice	Very close, a little fuller
Root types	Pot grown, seasonal root ball	Pot grown, seasonal root ball

Which is better for replacing Box?

Both work well, and neither is affected by box blight or box tree caterpillar. Green Spire gives the crispest, most traditional finish because it grows upright with small leaves held close to the stem. Jean Hugues is the better pick if your old Box hedge was quite full and rounded and you want to match that softer shape. If you are replacing Box lost to blight, see replacing a Box hedge with Green Spire after box blight.

Can you mix them in one hedge?

You can, but we would not recommend it for a formal hedge. The two grow at a similar rate but to a slightly different shape, so a mixed row tends to look uneven once it fills out. Pick one variety per run of hedge.

Compare these with the variegated and low-growing varieties in our full Euonymus hedging range.

Gwynne Bodsworth, grower at Hedging Plants Direct

Expert nursery advice

Gwynne's Grower's Tip

When customers can't decide, I ask how much room they have. If the hedge runs along a narrow path or has to stay really tight, it's Green Spire every time. If there's a bit more space and they want it to look full quickly, Jean Hugues. Both clip beautifully, so you can't really go wrong.

Gwynne Bodsworth • Grower, Hedging Plants Direct