![]() Euonymus fortunei 'Coloratus' |
An evergreen species native to China and Korea with long stems that can either spread along the ground or climb by means of adventitious rootlets. It belongs to the Celastraceae - bittersweet family. It can grow 2-5 m high, producing 0,5 – 1 m of new growth a year. It has ovate or elliptic, 3-6 cm long, evergreen, leathery leaves and inconspicuous white-green flowers. The fruit is a white-green pouch, which splits open to reveal the fleshy coated orange seeds. Only mature plants set fruit and many variegated varieties and cultivars don’t set fruit at all.
Requirements.
It grows best in half-shade, but is also happy in full sun or deep shade. The leaf variegation is more pronounced in a well-lit position.
It thrives in fertile, humus-rich soils, but tolerates also average or even poor soil (e.g. the 'Coloratus' variety). Fortune’s spindle tolerates well urban conditions and is fairly hardy.
Application.
An excellent groundcover. The variety 'Coloratus' is ideal for covering large areas, reinforcing escarpments or covering fences – it is particularly recommended for use in public green spaces and in poor growing conditions. All varieties can climb trees, pylons, trellises, walls and rockeries. Variegated varieties are suitable for creating borders, spreading over empty space between coniferous and deciduous shrubs, or creating colourful compositions. They are also well suited for growing in large containers on balconies and patios, both on their own, or as a part of a larger composition.
![]() Euonymus fortunei 'Interbowli' |
Suitable for growing in a public green space. An excellent groundcover, but it can also be used to fill space beneath taller shrubs or to created edgings. Plant between 5 and 8 plants per square meter.