The Euonymus is a genus from the staff vine family (Celastraceae) and commonly named winter creeper or spindle. The Euonymus comprises of about 130 species of deciduous and evergreen shrubs, small trees and lianas. They are mostly native to east Asia. 50 species are endemic to China.
The wood of some species was traditionally used for the making of spindles for spinning wool. This is where the name spindle originates from.
The Euonymus fortunei is an evergreen shrub with climbing or creeping stems. The plant has, similar to Hedera (ivy) (not related), small rootlets along the stems with which they attach themselves to walls or tree trunks. With sufficient support the Euonymus fortunei can grow up to 66 feet (20 meters) high. Like ivy, the plant has a sterile non-flowering juvenile climbing or creeping phase. It grows toward the treetop in search of more light. When it reaches the top of the tree or wall, it develops flowering stems without climbing rootlets. The flowers are small, greenish and inconspicuous.
In some locations the Euonymus fortunei is considered an invasive species. The stems with aerial roots grow into new plants if they touch the soil, and the seeds also develop new plants. The berries are eaten by birds which is also how this plant is spread.
There are two varieties:
Euonymus fortunei var. fortunei (synonym var. acutus). From China and Korea.
Euonymus fortunei var. radicans (synonym E. radicans). From Japan.
Most cultivars belong to var. radicans.
The winter creeper prefers a sunny to part shaded spot but also grows in full shade. This shrub is tolerant to salt and grows in almost any soil as long as it is not too wet. It prefers moist, well-drained soil. The plant is tolerant to drought and harsh winters and does not need extra fertilization. By pruning you can let the plant grow as a shrub.
The winter creeper usually grows reasonably fast, but there are cultivars, such as the Euonymus fortunei ‘Golden Harlequin’, that grow more slowly. All ground-covering cultivars can be used as climbers as long as they are given the proper support.
The Euonymus fortunei ‘Golden Harlequin’ is a low and slow growing, dwarf cultivar. Contrary to the ‘Harlequin’ the ‘Golden Harlequin’ has irregular variegated, yellow/green leaves instead of white/green. It was the color and pattern of the leaves that made me choose the ‘Golden Harlequin’. In the shade the leaves will become greener and less interesting.
The leaves may flush slightly red in winter, but that will disappear when it gets warmer. The plant is evergreen. The Euonymus fortunei ‘Golden Harlequin’ does not produce flowers or fruits.
I have trained this plant to a chain link fence where it forms a beautiful, evergreen, dense wall of foliage. This winter creeper took three years to reach the top of the 2.5 feet (2 m) high fence.
Without support this shrub will remain small and grow up to about 24 inches (60 cm) in height and a bit wider.
Attracts bees: no
Characteristic: evergreen
Deer resistant: yes
Exposure: sun/part shade
Flower color: none
Flowering time: none
Foliage color: green/yellow
Fragrant flower: no
Hardiness: -13 ºF/-25 ºC
Height: 24 inches/60 cm
Soil: normal