Euonymus fortunei ‘Emerald ‘n Gold’ is a popular cultivar of Euonymus fortunei, commonly known as wintercreeper. This durable, low-maintenance shrub has become a staple in many gardens and landscapes thanks to its versatility and year-round appeal. In this article, we’ll explore why Euonymus fortunei ‘Emerald ‘n Gold’ is such a widely-used landscape shrub and provide tips for incorporating it into your own outdoor space.
An Overview of Euonymus Fortunei ‘Emerald ‘n Gold’
The Euonymus fortunei ‘Emerald ‘n Gold’, which is also known as the golden euonymus, is a broadleaf evergreen to semi-evergreen shrub that has bright gold edges around its lush green leaves. This small shrub grows to be about 1 to 2 feet tall and 2 to 4 feet wide. Its ovate leaves are 1-1. 5 inches long.
While the species can be invasive in some regions, this cultivar is not aggressive about spreading. It grows at a slow-to-moderate rate, making it easy to keep it contained by pruning it back annually after it flowers in early summer.
The flowers are small and greenish-white, producing little fruit. The best thing about this shrub is its foliage, which looks nice all year long. In the spring, the leaves are bright gold around the edges. In the summer, they turn a deeper green color. In the fall, they turn a reddish-pink color, and they stay that color all winter.
Key Benefits of Euonymus Fortunei ‘Emerald ‘n Gold’
There are several reasons why Euonymus fortunei ‘Emerald ‘n Gold’ has become a go-to shrub for landscapers and home gardeners alike:
-
Growing conditions that are flexible—This shrub does well in full sun to partial shade and can handle most soil types, even clay. It also has good drought tolerance once established.
-
Compact size – The shrub’s petite stature makes it suitable for small spaces like foundation plantings, borders, and rock gardens. It also works well in containers
-
Year-round interest: The leaves change color four times a year, from spring to winter. This makes the shrub interesting all year.
-
Low-maintenance – Euonymus fortunei is not bothered by most pests and diseases. It requires little pruning or watering once established.
-
Wildlife value – The dense foliage provides shelter and nesting sites for birds. Deer tend to leave it alone.
-
Versatile uses – Its compact size year-round appeal and low-maintenance nature make this shrub useful as a foundation plant, mass planting, border edging, pathway accent, or container specimen.
How to Grow and Care for Euonymus Fortunei ‘Emerald ‘n Gold’
Euonymus fortunei ‘Emerald ‘n Gold’ isn’t too demanding to grow. Here are some tips for success:
-
Planting – Choose a site with full sun to part shade. Amend clay soils with compost to improve drainage. Space plants 2-4 feet apart depending on your desired coverage.
-
Watering – Water regularly after planting, then taper off as the shrub establishes a deep root system. Mature plants are quite drought-resistant.
-
Fertilizing – Apply a balanced fertilizer in early spring to support growth. Otherwise fertilizing is not necessary.
-
Pruning – In early summer after blooming, trim back overgrown stems or shape as desired. Avoid shearing.
-
Overwintering – In very cold climates, protect first-year plants by wrapping them or applying winter mulch after the ground freezes.
-
Propagation – Take stem cuttings in summer to make new plants. Hardwood cuttings also work in late fall/early winter.
Design Ideas for Using Euonymus Fortunei ‘Emerald ‘n Gold’
Here are some suggestions for incorporating this versatile shrub into your landscape:
-
Use as a colorful border or edging along pathways, patios, or flower beds. The bright gold edges will make the path “pop”.
-
Plant in groups of three along the foundation of your home. Allow some room between plants for good air circulation.
-
Mix in with evergreen shrubs like boxwood for added winter interest. The red winter leaves will stand out.
-
Use as a low hedge or living screen to delineate different areas of the yard or garden. Keep pruned to desired shape.
-
Feature in rock gardens, xeriscapes, and sloped areas since it handles lean, well-drained soil.
-
Place in containers on patios and decks. Combine with annuals or small perennials.
With its hardiness, compact size, year-round color, and low-maintenance nature, it’s easy to see why Euonymus fortunei ‘Emerald ‘n Gold’ is valued by landscapers and homeowners alike. This adaptable, vibrant shrub can provide seasonal interest and versatility to gardens and landscapes across many regions. Try incorporating Euonymus fortunei ‘Emerald ‘n Gold’ into your own outdoor space to add four-season color and texture.
Temperature and Humidity
Wintercreeper euonymus does well in all climate conditions found in USDA hardiness zones 4 through 9. In areas with harsh winters, wintercreeper can suffer some winter damage from ice and dramatic temperature fluctuations. Fortunately, this resilient plant is very good at recovering from the effects of winter.
Propagating Wintercreeper
Wintercreeper is easily propagated from new-growth cuttings in the spring. Heres how:
- With clean shears, cut off a 4- to 6-inch piece of stem that has at least four sets of leaves.
- Take off the bottom two leaves and put the cutting in some wet potting soil.
- Keep the potting mix wet until roots at least an inch long have grown out of the nodes where the leaves were cut off. Then move the plant to a bigger pot.
- Before moving the plant to the garden, make sure to let it get used to the soil.
Euonymus Fortunei Emerald & Gold (Winter creeper) tough reliable shrub climber plant
FAQ
How big do Euonymus emerald gold get?
Grows up to 1-2 ft. tall (30-60 cm) with a spread of 3-4 ft. (90-120 cm).
Where is the best place to plant an Euonymus bush?
Most prefer to grow in full to part sun, but the burning bush can tolerate more shade. These tough shrubs are adaptable to any soil that drains well. Once established euonymus plants are drought tolerant.
Does Euonymus Fortunei like sun or shade?
Euonymus prefers full sun to medium shade, moist to dry-mesic conditions, and soil containing loam, clay-loam, sand, and gravelly material. It can grow in a lot of shade, can handle different pH levels, is easy to move from woody cuttings, and can handle soils other than wet ground.
Is Emerald n Gold Euonymus invasive?
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.