Euonymus

( yew - ON - im - us )

At-A-Glance Information

This genus includes evergreen and deciduous hardy, low-maintenance shrubs and vines which need moderate to regular water and attract songbirds to the garden with their colorful fruits. These shrubs are commonly called Spindle Trees, and most species can take a variety of sun exposures in stride. These shrubs are very commonly grown garden ornamentals, and deciduous species have bright fall foliage, adding interest to landscapes in fall and early wintertime. Use Euonymus as a formal hedge or privacy screen, as erosion control on hillsides, as foundation plants, or in containers. Take care when planting these shrubs in your garden; consuming plant parts can be poisonous to humans and pets.

Euonymus Species and Varietals

The genus Euonymus is a member of the family Celastraceae, and includes around 130 species. The botanical name Euonymus is derived from the Greek suffix eu- (which means good) and the word 'onyma' (meaning name). The best growing zones for Euonymus vary depending on the species; for more information see the descriptions below. To find your zone, click here: Zone Map.

Euonymus alatus (Winged Euonymus, Winged Burning Bush, Winged Spindletree, Corky Spindletree)
This deciduous shrub grows best in USDA hardiness zones 4-9 or Sunset growing zones A3, 2-10 and 14-16. It is native to China, Japan and eastern Russia, reaching 15-20 feet tall and wide at maturity. Fall color is showy and bright red. Varieties include 'Compactus' (6-10 feet tall and wide, excellent hedge), 'Little Moses' (3 feet tall and a little wider, with long-lasting fall color), 'Rudy Haag' (dense growth to 4-5 feet tall and wide, with rose-red fall color), and 'Timber Creek' (also called 'Chicago Fire', to 8 feet tall and wide, and is extra-hardy). This species is considered invasive in the northeastern and midwestern United States as well as some regions of Canada.

Euonymus americanus (Strawberry Bush, Hearts-A-Bustin', Hearts-A-Burstin', Brook Euonymus, Bursting-Heart)
This deciduous shrub grows best in USDA hardiness zones 5-9 or Sunset growing zones 3b-9 and 14-17 and is native to the eastern United States. Individual plants reach up to 4 to 6 feet tall and wide at maturity and produce leathery dark green leaves which turn yellow in fall. Scarlet fruits in fall open to reveal bright orange seeds. This species can take a lot of shade and is suitable for woodland gardens.

Euonymus europaeus (Spindle Tree, Spindle, Common Spindle)
This is a deciduous shrub or tree that gets to 20 feet tall and 15 feet wide. Green branches and shiny green leaves. Fall color is yellow or red. Flowers mature to pink or red showy fruit with white seeds. Needs full sun or partial shade. Varieties include 'Aldenham' (with bright pink/orange fruits and red fall foliage), and 'Red Cascade' (which has deep purple-red fall color and profuse red fruit; pictured). Spindle Tree is suited for USDA hardiness zones 3-7. This species is considered invasive in the northeastern and midwestern United States.

Euonymus fortunei (Wintercreeper, Wintercreeper Euonymus, Fortune's Spindle, Climbing Euonymus, Chinese Spindle-Tree)
Grows as an evergreen vine or shrub in USDA hardiness zones 4-9 or Sunset growing zones 2b-17. Native to China, this species produces branches that trail and sometimes root at nodes if touching soil. If these plants are allowed to climb, they can reach up to 20 feet tall and wide at maturity. They can be grown in sun or shade. Varieties are outlined below:

'Blondy'
Mounding growth to 2 feet high and 3 feet wide, with green-edged golden yellow leaves.

'Canadale Gold'
This shrub is compact, to 4 feet tall and 3.5 feet wide. With light green leaves edged in yellow.

'Coloratus'
1.5 feet tall and 8 feet wide; makes an even groundcover with leaves that turn dark purple in the fall.

'Emerald Galety'
Grows to 2-4 feet tall and 3 feet wide. Dense growing and erect, with white-edged leaves that turn pink in the cold.

'Emerald n' Gold'
Similar to 'Emerald Galety' but with gold-edged leaves.

'Golden Prince'
4 feet tall and wide, new growth is tipped gold. Older leaves turn solid green. Good, hardy hedge plant.

'Green Lane'
3-4 feet tall and 4-5 feet wide with deep green leaves and orange fruit in fall.

'Harlequin'
1 foot tall and 18 inches wide, New growth is white, turns variegated with green in maturity. Good for edges or containers.

'Ivory Jade'
Grows to 3 feet tall and 6 feet wide. Has creamy-white leaf margins, leaves turn pink in cold weather.

'Moonshadow'
Gets to 3 feet tall and 5 feet wide. Bright yellow leaves with dark green margins.

'Sunspot'
3-6 feet tall and just as wide, Dark green leaves have a center yellow spot.

'Wolong Ghost'
10 inches tall, 2 feet wide. Narrow dark green leaves veined with white. Good groundcover.

Euonymus japonicus (Evergreen Euonymus, )
This species is suited for growing in USDA hardiness zones 6-9 and is native to China. Individual plants in the species reach up to between 8 and 12 feet tall and 6 and 10 feet wide at maturity. They are commonly used as a hedge or screening plant. This species produces glossy, deep green leaves, though variegated forms of this species are more popular. See the varieties outlined below for more information.

'Aureovariegatus'
(Gold Spot Euonymus)
6 feet tall, 3 feet wide, green leaves with a yellow blotch.

'Chollipo'
Narrow plant to 12 feet tall, Green leaves with white borders.

'Grandifolius'
6-8 feet tall and 4-6 feet wide. Has shiny dark green leaves. Compact grower.

'Green Spire'
6-8 foot tall columnar plant, with dark green leaves, great as a narrow hedge.

'Microphyllus'
(Box-Leaf Euonymus)
2 feet tall, trimmed into a low hedge usually.

'Ovatus Aureus'
8 feet tall and 6 feet wide. Dark green leaves with yellow margins.

'Silver King'
To 6 feet tall with green leaves edged in silver.

'Silver Princess'
2-3 feet tall and wide, with green leaves edged in silver.

Caring for Euonymus

Take care when planting these shrubs in your garden; consuming plant parts can be poisonous to humans and pets. Considered to be easy-care plantings, Euonymus is drought-tolerant and can take salty conditions, as well. These shrubs can be planted at any time of the year, though in warmer climates, summer plantings are discouraged and in cooler climates, winter plantings should be pushed back to springtime. Sun exposure needs vary depending on the species; plant according to your specific shrub's needs. See the species descriptions above for more information. Euonymus shrubs prefer rich soil amended with plenty of organic material and a pH of between 6.0 and 8.0. If local soils are particularly poor in nutrients or do not drain well, make sure to amend the planting area with plenty of organic compost before installing. Apply a layer of mulch around the planting area to suppress weed growth, maintain consistent soil temperatures, and to increase soil moisture retention.

Fertilize yearly in early springtime with an application of 2 inches of compost around the base of plants. Pull mulch back before applying, work the compost gently into the soil a bit, water it in, and then replace mulch. At any time during the growing season, errant or unwanted growth can be pruned away. These shrubs can send up sprouts (suckers) from the ground; these can be transplanted or simply composted if they are unwanted. Any hard prunings for rejuvenation should take place in springtime after the danger of frosts have passed by. Euonymus shrubs are long-lived perennial ornamental plants which can survive in the landscape for upwards of between 10 and 40 years or more before needing to be replaced. They are slow-growing, and typically reach maturity in 3-5 years.

Propagation

Euonymus can be propagated either by using cuttings or from seed. To ensure that your propagated plant will have the exact same qualities and characteristics as the parent plant, use the cutting method. If you would like to experiment and see what plant you can grow from seed, just keep in mind that it will not necessarily be the same as the parent plant. To propagate your shrub follow the instructions below:

Propagating Euonymus by Cutting

Gather your materials. You'll need a clean, sanitized, sharp pair of garden shears, rooting hormone, a pencil, and a 3-inch pot filled with well-draining compost or other organic material. A good substrate for propagation of cuttings is a light blend of 1/3 pasteurized soil or compost, 1/3 sand, vermiculite or perlite, and 1/3 coconut coir or peat moss.
Euonymus shrubs can either be propagated via semi-hardwood or hardwood cuttings taken in summertime, or via hardwood cuttings taken in winter. Ensure that the plant has had a good watering the night before, as this will improve the chances your cutting will take root. Cut one or more 3-4 inch portion(s) of the end of a non-blooming branch and strip the leaves off of the lower half. Make a hole in your planting medium by pushing your pencil into the soil. Dip the end of the stem in rooting hormone, and plant it in your pot. Fill in soil around the cutting to support it, but do not pack it down too much.
Moisten with water, and ensure that the pot has good drainage. Your pot should be kept in warm (between 70 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit) place indoors (and not in direct sunlight). Water whenever your soil is dry under the top layer. After about four to eight weeks have passed, your cutting should be rooted. When you notice new growth on your propagated shrub, you'll know you have roots. At this time, you can begin the hardening off process.
Begin taking your cutting on field trips outdoors, starting first with just 30 minutes, and adding between 30 and 60 minutes each subsequent day. When your Euonymus can take a full day outdoors, it is ready to be planted in its forever home in your garden. Ensure that your new shrub is protected from both frost and high temperatures as it acclimates to its new surroundings.

Propagating Euonymus by Seed

Keep in mind that the plant you get from seed will not necessarily mimic all of the characteristics of the parent plant. To propagate by seed, you will need a strainer, paper towel, sand, Ziploc bag, and have some refrigerator space available for cold-stratifying your seeds. The best potting medium for seed germination is a light blend of 1/3 pasteurized soil or compost, 1/3 sand, vermiculite or perlite, and 1/3 coconut coir or peat moss.
Harvest your seeds in late fall. Euonymus seeds are contained inside fruiting bodies, and need to be removed before being planted. Pick the berries off of your Euonymus shrub and take the seeds out, rinsing them with water in a strainer before setting them out to dry on a paper towel.
Euonymus seeds need to be cold-stratified before being sown. Place your seeds in moist sand inside a Ziploc bag and place the bag in your refrigerator. The bag should be kept at a temperature of 40 degrees Fahrenheit for at least 3 months. By the time spring rolls around, your seeds will be ready to plant, but it is a good practice to wait until summertime when the weather is a bit warmer (between 70 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit).
Your Euonymus seeds can be sown directly into the ground; amend soil with plenty of organic matter to prepare it for its new residents, and sow the seeds a quarter inch under the soil surface. How far apart you'll space the seeds is based on the size of the species you've propagated. Water in the seeds gently, being careful to not disturb their placement or unearth them.
Continue to keep the soil moist for the next 8 weeks. You should notice your seeds sprouting by this time. Once they've sprouted, make sure to thin them to ensure they'll have enough space to grow, and continue to care for them until they've established themselves, at which point they will need a little less water.

Euonymus seeds are contained inside the fruits produced by these shrubs.

Euonymus seeds.

Problems and Pests

Certain species are considered invasive in some regions; see the species descriptions above for more information. Check with local authorities before planting. Euonymus shrubs are susceptible to developing issues with the following the following diseases and pests in the landscape: