Practical
Plants

Euonymus fortunei

Winter Creeper

an evergreen member of the Euonymus genus in the family Celastraceae.

No photo available

Taxonomy and growth

Foliage
evergreen
Growth rate
moderate
Height
4.5 m
Spread
10 m
Fertility
Insects
Flower type
hermaphrodite
Pollinators
Insects

Uses

Toxicity

Toxicity warning. The historical record reports a hazard for this plant. Do not use it to decide which parts are safe to eat or use medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Although no records of toxicity have been seen for this species, a number of plants in this genus are suspected of being poisonous and so some caution is advised.

Medicinal uses

Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Plants contain the anticancer compound dulcitol[8]. The plant is used in gynaecological applications[8].

Product or use
Cancer
Product or use
Women's complaints

Material uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

A good evergreen ground cover plant[3][6]. The sub species E. fortunei radicans and E. fortunei carrieri are particularly useful, other forms to use include 'Emerald and Gold', 'Emerald Gaiety', 'Coloratus', 'Dart's Carpet' and 'Kewensis[2][4][5]. Plants can be grown as a low hedge[10], the varieties 'Emerald and Gold' and 'Variegatus' are normally used. They are very tolerant of clipping[6].

Ecology and functions

Ecosystem niche
Climber, Soil surface

Ground cover

Hedge

Environment

Range
E. Asia - China, Japan, Korea.
Habitat
Woods and thickets in low mountains all over Japan[11].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
permanent shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 5+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay, heavy clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame. Stored seed requires 8 - 12 weeks warm followed by 8 - 16 weeks cold stratification and can then be sown in a cold frame[12][13]. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, 5 - 8cm long taken at a node or with a heel, July/August in a frame. Very easy[6].

Cultivation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Thrives in almost any soil, including chalk, and is particularly suited to dry shaded areas[6]. Grows well in heavy clay soils. Prefers a well-drained loamy soil. Thrives in sunny positions and in deep shade[1][2], though it does not fruit so well in the shade. Plants are hardy to about -18°c[7]. A shrubby somewhat creeping plant that can also climb by means of aerial roots[3], if placed by a support, a wall, tree or fence, the plant will start to climb it and will be self-attaching to a large degree[2][9]. Plants do not normally require pruning[9]. Plants have two forms of growth, a juvenile form and a mature form when the plants come into flower[9]. Plants in Britain often retain the juvenile form and never flower[9]. A polymorphic species[11], there are a number of named varieties selected for their ornamental value[2][7].

References

  1. Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray 1981-00-00

    ↩

  2. Thomas. G. S. Ornamental Shrubs, Climbers and Bamboos. Murray 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-7195-5043-2

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  3. Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Shrubs. Pan Books 1989-00-00 ISBN 0-330-30258-2

    ↩1↩2

  4. Brickell. C. The RHS Gardener's Encyclopedia of Plants and Flowers Dorling Kindersley Publishers Ltd. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-86318-386-7

    ↩

  5. Royal Horticultural Society. Ground Cover Plants. Cassells. 1989-00-00 ISBN 0-304-31089-1

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  6. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  7. Davis. B. Climbers and Wall Shrubs. Viking. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-670-82929-3

    ↩1↩2

  8. Duke. J. A. and Ayensu. E. S. Medicinal Plants of China Reference Publications, Inc. 1985-00-00 ISBN 0-917256-20-4

    ↩1↩2

  9. Grey-Wilson. C. & Matthews. V. Gardening on Walls Collins 1983-00-00 ISBN 0-00-219220-0

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  10. Shepherd. F.W. Hedges and Screens. Royal Horticultural Society. 1974-00-00 ISBN 0900629649

    ↩

  11. Ohwi. G. Flora of Japan. (English translation) Smithsonian Institution 1965-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  12. Sheat. W. G. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. MacMillan and Co 1948-00-00

    ↩

  13. Gordon. A. G. and Rowe. D. C. f. Seed Manual for Ornamental Trees and Shrubs.

    ↩

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