Fortune's Euonymus (Euonymus fortunei) is a small, undemanding and easy-to-grow evergreen shrub, decorative mainly due to its all-season leaves. InterestingFortune'svarieties are available that vary in habit, strength and color of leaves, which can be green, mottled or light edge. See whatcultivating Fortune's Euonymusin the garden looks like, and how to performcutting the euonymusto get the shape you want.
Fortune's 'Emerald Gold'
Photo. depositphotos.com
Fortune's Euonymus - varieties
The name of this species of euonymus comes from the name of the Scottish botanist Robert Fortune, who brought the plant from China to Europe in the early 20th century. Since then, manyinteresting varieties of Fortune'shave been bred, which contributed to the popularization of this plant in garden plantings.Depending on the variety, Fortune's Euonymus can take the form of a small shrub, a low-lying plant, or a creeperStem are very interesting, i.e. bushes grafted on a trunk, in the form of small trees . A plant in the garden may bloom, but its flowers are inconspicuous and do not constitute a special decoration.
The most popular Fortune varieties are :Fortune's 'Emerald Gold'- evergreen low shrub, growing much more in width than in height. It can reach 0.4 m in height and 1.4 m in width.This Fortune variety has dark green leaves with a broad yellow margin. It works great under taller trees (2-3 plants per m²) and larger pots and containers.
Fortune's Euonymus 'Emerald Gaiety'- another very popular variety of Fortune's Euonymus, with green and white-edged leaves. In addition to the color of the leaves, the Emerald Gold variety is distinguished by a shorter height (only up to 25 cm) and a more creeping habit. It is worth noting that when planted under trees (recommended planting 3-4 pieces per m²), walls or fences, it can climb up to 2 meters. In the open, it creates dense carpets, which makes 'Emerald Gaiety' shrubs excellent ground cover plants.
Fortune's 'Emerald Gaiety'
Fig. pxhere.com
Fortune's Euonymus 'Harlequin'- a dwarf variety of Fortune's euonymus, up to 0.5 m in height and width.Due to its very limited growth, it is perfect when planted in containers and in rock gardens. It has mottled white-green, elliptical-shaped marbled leaves. When cultivating this variety, however, you need to watch out for the emerging green shoots (reverse), which should be removed.
Fortune's Euonymus 'Minimus'- a dwarf variety as 'Harlequin', growing up to 0.5m high, creating dense carpets covering the ground. It is distinguished by much finer leaves that are juicy green, sometimes with lighter veins.
Fortune's 'Sunspot'- a variety even shorter than those described above, reaching from 20 to 30 cm in height. A great creeping plant and for planting in containers. A special feature of this variety of Fortune's Euonymus are its leaves dark green on the outside with a light golden stripe running down the center along the leaf axis.
Fortune's 'Canadale Gold'
Photo. © Herbi
Fortune's Euonymus 'Canadale Gold'- for a change, it is a plant with a slightly higher growth than described above, growing up to 0.8 m in height. It grows strongly, growing up to 50 cm per year. Leaves are large, round, with a yellow margin. This variety is slightly more frost-resistant than the other varieties described here. While other Fortune's Euonymus strains can cope with plant hardiness zones 6A or 6B, the Canadale Gold variety can even grow in zone 5B and therefore will winters well throughout Poland.
Fortune's Euonymus 'Silver Queen'- similarly to the 'Canadale Gold' variety, it grows up to 0.8 m high, but can climb up to several meters on supports. It has a distinctly bushier habit and exceptionally large leaves, up to 6 cm in length. The leaves of this Fortune variety are initially creamy yellow and turn green in older ones with a wide, cream-white border.
Good to know!
All of the above-describedFortune's Euonymus varieties tolerate both sunny and shaded locationsIt should be remembered that varieties with variegated or light margin leaves tend to color better in the sun. If you want to plant the euonymus in a strongly shaded place, it is worth choosingfull shade-tolerant Fortune's' Coloratus' or 'Dart's Blanket' varietyIf you need a plant that is extremely frost-resistant, let's plant Fortune ' a 'Canadale Gold'.
Fortune's Euonymus - cultivation
Fortune's Euonymus works well as a ground cover , planted under the canopy of large trees. It can also be used as a climber that climbs a tree trunk or walls. Euonymus that climbs a rock or a larger stone looks exceptionally nice. But Fortune's Euonymus can also be planted as a solitaire on a low-cut lawn, and dwarf forms are suitable for pots and containers.Particularly attractive are thestandard forms of Fortune's euonymus(grafted on a trunk) in the form of small trees with motley leaves.
Cultivation position and soil requirements
Growing Fortune's Euonymus is usually not a problemas the plant is quite tolerant of both position and soil. Most Fortune's Euonymus strains grow well in both sun and partial shade. Humus, fertile and moderately moist soils are recommended. A certain disadvantage, however, is theincomplete frost resistance of Fortune's euonymus , therefore in colder regions of Poland it is advisable to cover the plants for the winter or to provide them with a position sheltered from winds.
Watering Fortune's Euonymus
The plant likes soil that is constantly slightly moist and requires watering in periods of drought, especially in summer. We should also remember that for a good wintering, it is worth watering the euonymus plentifully in the fall, and then cover the ground at the foot of the bush with a thick layer of mulch, e.g.from pine bark, which will help keep the soil moist. If, with the onset of frosts, the euonymus leaves slightly discolored to shades of red or pink, do not worry about it, because in the spring they should return to their natural color.
Fertilizing Fortune's Euonymus
The plant does not require any special fertilization. To ensure fertile and humus soil, it is worth adding compost or some fresh universal soil before planting. Then it is enough to add an additional dose of compost once a year in spring or sprinkle granular universal mineral fertilizer. It is also beneficial to water the euonymus with diluted vermicompost.
Fortune's Euonymus - cut
Fortune's Euonymus can grow without pruning, but then it will not thicken so nicelyIf we want the euonymus planted as cover plants to form a thick carpet, all shoots should be planted in the first spring after planting shorten to 5-7 cm.In the following years, each springFortune's shoots are pruned, shortening them by half of last year's increment
If the euonymus is to cover the trunk of the treeunder which it is planted, shorten the shoots in the same way, and then tie the new growths to the trunk with string. Properly directed, they will climb on their own, with the help of sticky roots produced on the shoots.
When holes are formed in the cover of older euonymus , the bare, too long shoot should be cut completely, and the twigs growing nearby should be slightly shortened so that they will sprout new growths that will cover the gap.
Note!
"The euonymus can sometimes show a reversion phenomenon where wild shoots sprout with green leaves without the discoloration characteristic of the planted variety.Such shoots need to be regularly cut , because they can grow quickly and drown out the ornamental variety. "
