Michigan State University Extension
Ornamental Plants plus Version 3.0 - 00000590
11/12/99

Euonymus fortunei--Wintercreeper


Hardiness Zones: 5 to 9
Height: 6 in Spread: variable Form: spreading
Type: broad-leaved evergreen shrub or vine
Annual Growth Rate: more than 18 inches

Comments: Wintercreeper can be a trailing, vine-like plant
or an upright shrub, depending on the cultivar. The plant
can reach a height of 2 to 3 feet and spread 3 to 4 feet,
but climbing types will reach a chimney top on a two-story
house. Transplanting is not a problem. A north or west
exposure is best during the winter, shade will keep the
foliage from burning. If used as a ground cover,
Wintercreeper can be sheared to keep it neat. This member
of the genus is the most susceptible to euonymus scale so
should not be selected for low maintenance landscapes.
Large plants become heavily infested before the insect is
noticed.

Cultivars:
'Argenteo-marginata' ('Variegatus') - The green leaves
have white margins.
'Canandale Gold' - A four-foot by three-foot shrub with
light green leaves that have a golden yellow margin.
The yellow is a deeper color on new growth.
'Carrierei' - A mounded shrub with glossy leaves and good
fruit production.
var. coloratus - A creeping type, usually used as a
ground cover. The leaves (Vis. 9) turn purplish in the
fall.
'Country Gold' - Large, green leaves have gold margins.
'Emerald Gaiety' - A variegated type with green and
white leaves (Vis. 1).
'Emerald 'n Gold' - A three-foot plant with green and
gold foliage (Vis. 2). Needs full sun for best foliage
color.
'Emerald Surprise' - A mixture of green, gold and
creamy white on a fast-growing, broad plant that can
grow to 3 feet.
'E.T.' - Has variegated gold and green foliage with an
irregular, mounding habit. Recommended to zone 6.
'Gold Tip' - A form of 'Sarcoxie' with the foliage
edged in yellow. Forms an irregular mound.
'Golden Prince' - A four-foot plant that has foliage
tipped with gold. The older leaves gradually turn
solid green.
'Green Lane' - This four-foot tall plant has green
foliage that resists winterburn. Orange berries add
extra interest in the fall.
'Harlequin' - A low, flat, 18-inch plant having leaves
with a white variegation (Vis. 3) that contrasts with
pinks and reds in the fall. A Brookside Gardens
introduction.
'Interbolwji' (Blondy TM) - The leaves have yellow spots
on the leaves. The plant will be about 2 feet tall.
'Irish Eyes' - A dwarf only 2 feet tall with dark green
leaves having lighter green veins.
'Ivory Jade' - A low, spreading form with ivory colored
leaf margins.
'Kewensis' - A very small plant with tiny green leaves.
'Longwood' - Forms a dense, 6-inch mat that competes
well with weeds.
'Minimus' - A mat forming cultivar that sometimes sends
up upright shoots, about 10 inches tall.
'Majestic Gold' - A compact, upright habit. The green
foliage has a bright gold edge turning creamy yellow.
'Moonshadow' - The foliage (Vis. 4) is variegated with
yellow.
var. radicans - A creeping type with glossy, dark green
leaves.
'Roemerone' (Sunny Lane TM) - The variegated foliage is
displayed on plants that will be about 3 feet tall.
Reported to have good hardiness.
'Sarcoxie' - An upright cultivar (Vis. 5) with glossy,
dark green leaves.
'Sheridan Gold' - A Sheridan selection. One of the
hardiest cultivars with sunshine yellow foliage. A
fast grower.
'Spargozam' (Sparkle 'n Gold TM) - The dark green
leaves have brilliant gold margins (Vis. 6).
'Sun Spot' - An irregular spreading plant having green
leaves with a yellow spot in the center (Vis. 7).
'Sungold' - Larger foliage is yellow with green
markings.
'Sunrise' - Gold leaves.
'Surespot' - Green leaves have bright yellow centers.
'Vegetus' - Can be a vine or upright shrub (Vis. 8).
Fruit production is usually heavy and very ornamental.

References for Cultivars: Ray Wiegand's Nursery 1999,
Sheridan Nurseries 1999, Spring Meadow Nursery 1999,
Monrovia Nursery 1997, Lake County Nursery 1999, Weston
Nurseries 1999, Princeton Nurseries 1999, J Frank Schmidt
and Son 1997, Walters Gardens 1997, Bailey Nurseries 1999,
Iseli Nursery 1999, Wayside Gardens 1996, Studebaker
Nurseries 1999, Walters Gardens 1999, Berryhill Nurseries
1999, Scarff's Nursery 1999, Gee Farms 1997, Midwest
Groundcovers 1999, Willoway Nurseries 1999.


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