Care of the shrub Euonymus fortunei or Fortune's spindle |
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The genus Euonymus, family Celastraceae, includes 130 species of evergreen or deciduous trees and shrubs, native to China, Japan, North America, the Caucasus, and Australia. Some species are: Euonymus fortunei, Euonymus atropurpureus, Euonymus alata, Euonymus europaeus, Euonymus japonicus, Euonymus oxyphyllus, Euonymus planipes, Euonymus americanus, Euonymus radicans, Euonymus wilsonii. Common names: Fortune's spindle, Spindle, Winter creeper, Wintercreeper. This species is native to east Asia. They are short shrubs that reach 1 meter (3.28 feet) in height. They have pretty green leaves with cream-colored edges; variegated cultivars exist. They produce small greenish-yellow flowers. The fruits are quite decorative reddish capsules. Fortune's spindle is used to form low hedges, bushy groups and to upholster walls. Euonymus fortunei is a hardy plant that can grow in full sun, semi-shade or shade exposures. It resists frost. Winter creeper can be grown in any type of soil; a normal garden substrate is sufficient. Water moderately throughout the year, slightly increasing watering if it's very hot. Fortune's spindle tolerates pruning very well to give them varied shapes. The worst enemy of Spindle is powdery mildew if there is excess watering. Winter creeper propagates from cuttings in the fall or spring. |
Images of the shrub Euonymus fortunei or Fortune's spindle |
 Euonymus fortunei  Euonymus fortunei  Euonymus fortunei var. radicans  Euonymus fortunei var. radicans  Euonymus fortunei var. radicans  Euonymus fortunei var. radicans |