Euonymus
Euonymus fortunei
A versatile, low-growing evergreen shrub widely used as ground cover, edging and in containers throughout UK gardens. Cultivars offer a range of variegated foliage in green, gold and white combinations that provide colour year-round. Extremely tough, tolerating shade, pollution, salt spray and poor soils. One of the most reliable and easy-to-grow shrubs available, equally at home in urban courtyards and rural borders.
How to grow euonymus
Plant in autumn or spring in any garden soil. Euonymus fortunei is one of the most tolerant shrubs, growing in sun, shade, damp or dry conditions. Variegated cultivars produce the best leaf colour in partial shade to full sun — in deep shade, foliage may revert to plain green. Water during the first season while establishing. Once settled, it needs virtually no care. Mulch annually in spring. Feed with a general-purpose fertiliser if growth seems weak. 'Emerald 'n' Gold' with golden variegation and 'Emerald Gaiety' with white-edged leaves are the most popular cultivars. For ground cover, plant 30-40cm apart. Also grows well as a low hedge or in containers and window boxes.
Pruning
Trim in mid-spring to maintain shape and remove any all-green reverted shoots from variegated cultivars — cut these out promptly as they are more vigorous and will eventually dominate the plant. Light trimming in spring and again in late summer keeps plants neat. Hard pruning is tolerated if the plant outgrows its space.
Propagation
- Semi-ripe cuttings in late summer
- Hardwood cuttings in late autumn
- Layering in spring
Common problems
- Euonymus scale causing white or brown encrustations
- Reversion to plain green on variegated cultivars
- Powdery mildew in dry conditions
- Crown gall occasionally