Euonymus or Wintercreeper is an underrated, versatile broadleaf evergreen that grows in Zones 5-9. Depending on the cultivar you need, this ornamental shrub attains 2’ to 4’ in height and up to 5’ in width.

Euonymus is native to China, a wetter climate than the United States typically, and it naturally prefers moist, yet well drained, soil conditions. A hardy plant, it grows best in partial shade (especially variegated cultivars) but can tolerate full sun if given enough water. In addition, it can grow in poor soils with a wide pH range in environments given to heat, drought, and pollution. In other words, it will probably grow in your neighborhood.

Euonymus fortunei is semi-evergreen to evergreen with unremarkably shiny but pleasant dark green 1" to 3" long leaves. The most common cultivars are variegated with shades of white or gold around each leaf’s margin. Depending on the cultivar, leaves will fade to colors including red, purple, bronze, gray or pink. Because some are semi-evergreen, they keep their leaves in Autumn but may lose a few during the Winter. Euonymus can produce light yellow or green blooms in June or July, but you’ll have to look hard for them if they’re there at all.

Euonymus, whose name translates as "good name", is found in two different forms: groundcover or shrub. As such I’ve seen used for foundation and specimen plants, low hedges, edging, and mass plantings. The foliage has a fairly thick density. Both forms have green stems that tan with age, but groundcover varieties’ grow out from the plant whereas shrub varieties’ grow vertically. Take note that regardless of it being a groundcover or a shrub, if the plant is placed near a vertical structure (brick wall, chain-link fence, tree, etc.) the stems will grip it and, like a short clinging vine, climb up about a foot. Either form grows moderately fast when it’s young, but slows with maturity. If you’re in a hurry for it to mature you should prune it frequently. Pruning in the Spring not only encourages it to grow quickly, but produces vibrant foliage in variegated cultivars.

Euonymus can be propagated by rooted stem cuttings, but they’re abundantly available in containers. Spring or Autumn planting is ideal and doesn’t require any special directions. But if you can’t get around to planting until the Summer that’s fine, just be sure you irrigate it frequently. Upon planting, spread mulch around it to achieve weed control and water it. To prevent the plants new roots from freezing the first winter, particularly with the ‘Colorata’ variety, mulch around it again.

Euonymus is a great, easy and carefree plant until it gets old. With age, the plant becomes very susceptible to Crown Gall and Euonymus Scale. Both diseases are primarily cosmetic and Scale is the most common of the two. However, these diseases aren’t fast killers and you’ll have many months to catch the problem and begin treatment. Scale is an insect infestation that is treated with pesticides. It’s easy to spot because the plant will look like it’s covered in powder. This powder is actually hundreds of tiny white structures that house juice sucking bugs. Scale is a serious problem if found in a Euonymus mass planting because it spreads quickly to other Euonymus. If you don’t see the problem for several months and you notice it when the plant looks like it’s covered in powder and gray mildew, it’s too late and you’ll have to dig up and throw away all the infected plants.

Popular Euonymus fortunei varieties include:

x 'Colorata'. This woody groundcover, most frequently used for mass planting, grows 1' tall if not near a vertical structure it could climb. Solid green foliage that turns red or heavy bronze in winter. Plant 8" to 12" apart.

x ‘Acutus’. The best Euonymus for a fast growing groundcover. Its deep green 1"-2" long egg-shaped leaves bronze in the winter. If you want it to stay at its mature 2’ height keep it away from a supporting structure and plant about a foot apart.

x 'Kewensis'. A very low growing (1-3" tall) variety that forms a thick dense mat and spreads indefinitely. Grows best in Zones 5-8 in sun or shade. Plant up to 3’ apart. Pea-sized leaves with the occasional white flower in June.

x 'Gracilis'. Its half inch deep green ovoid leaves have creamy edges which develop a burgundy tint in winter. This shrub grows about 1’ in height and 1.5’ feet in width in Zones 5-9 in full sun or shade. Plant at least 18" apart.

Euonymus will be an asset to your garden. Its year round dense green foliage fades into beautiful fall color. It grows in virtually any soil condition as long as it’s moist and well drained. It has only one easily remedied common pest. It’s proven to be a beautiful, hardy, "plant it and forget it" shrub or groundcover all over the United States.

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