Wintercreeper euonymus (Euonymus fortunei ‘Emerald ‘n’ Gold’)

Wintercreeper euonymus

Features and Characteristics

Euonymus fortunei, commonly called wintercreeper euonymus, is a dense, creeping to mounding, broadleaf evergreen to semi-evergreen subshrub that will also climb using adventitious roots. Native to East Asia where it can be found in forests, thickets, and scrublands. It may appear as a trailing ground cover, a mounding shrub or a climbing vine. This adaptable plant has escaped cultivation and is considered highly invasive in much of the eastern United States where it smothers and out competes native vegetation.

Genus name is an ancient Greek name referring to plants of this genus.

Specific epithet honors Scottish horticulturist and plant collector in China Robert Fortune (1812-1880).

‘Emerald ‘n’ Gold’ is primarily a low-growing, erect to semi-erect shrubby form which typically grows to 1-2′ tall and spreads to 4′ wide as a dense, sprawling, tangled, bushy mat. It features lustrous, ovate to elliptic, toothed, dark green leaves (1-5″ long) which are edged with gold. Leaves turn pinkish-red in fall and winter. Inconspicuous, greenish-white flowers may appear in June. Flowers are at best sparse, but are usually not present. If given support, ‘Emerald ‘n’ Gold’ will climb a wall.

Care and Maintenance

Easily grown in average, medium moisture, well-drained soils in full sun to part shade. Tolerates significant amounts of shade. Also tolerates a wide range of soils and soil conditions, except for wet ones. Established plants tolerate some drought. Good tolerance for urban conditions. Stems may root where they touch the ground. May be propagated by rooted stem cuttings. Good tolerance for urban conditions. Trim annually after flowering to maintain attractive shape. Inconspicuous, greenish-white flowers may appear in June.

Wintercreeper euonymus (Euonymus fortunei ‘Emerald ‘n’ Gold’) Requirements

Hardiness zone	5 - 8
Sun light	Full sun to part shade
Water	Medium
Maintenance	Medium

Common Problems

Euonymus scale can be a significant problem and should be treated if it appears. Anthracnose, crown gall, leaf spot, mildew and aphids can also be problems. Can spread invasively into lawns or adjacent garden areas or can climb adjacent structures.

Uses

Where not deemed invasive it can be a versatile ground cover for sunny or shady areas in the landscape. Also effective as an edger along paths or sidewalks, as a slope cover where it can also provide erosion control, as a foundation planting. If used as an ivy-like climbing vine for covering walls, chimneys or fences, it more easily flowers and sets seeds that can increase its invasive spread.

Wintercreeper euonymus (Euonymus fortunei ‘Emerald ‘n’ Gold’) Details

Common name	Wintercreeper euonymus
Botanical name	Euonymus fortunei 'Emerald 'n' Gold'
Plant type	Broadleaf evergreen
Family	Celastraceae
Hardiness zone	5 - 8
Water	Medium
Maintenance	Medium
Flower color	Greenish white
Flowering period	June
Height	1.50 to 2 ft.
Width	2 - 4 ft.