Euonymus fortunei Coloratus - Spindle

Euonymus fortunei 'Coloratus' is a creeping spindle, with compact and very dense vegetation, adorned with evergreen foliage of a beautiful dark green that shines and turns reddish-purple at the first signs of cold. This small shrub is ideal for effectively and elegantly covering the ground. Its branches are equipped with climbing roots, which easily cling to walls, but without becoming invasive. Adapting to multiple uses, it finds its place under shrubs, on the edge of woodlands, along pathways, or even in planters on a terrace. Very tolerant of soil and exposure, it does, however, fear arid conditions.

Native to Asia and northern China, Euonymus fortunei is a ground cover shrub of the Celastraceae family. Its growth is slow. It is perfectly hardy and tolerant of limestone in the soil. The variety 'Coloratus' is appreciated for its particularly compact, dense and creeping or even climbing habit, as well as for its beautiful winter colouration. At maturity, this slow-growing cultivar will reach approximately 35 cm (13.8 in) in height with a minimum spread of 60 cm (23.6 in). It develops flexible branches that can be easily trained and have the ability to cling to their support thanks to climbing roots. The evergreen, elliptical leaves, 3 cm to 4 cm (1.2 in to 1.6 in) long, with serrated edges, are a shiny dark green. Depending on the sunlight, they take on beautiful reddish-purple hues under the effect of cold. In spring, insignificant flowering appears on the current year's shoots in the form of small clusters of white-greenish flowers. They give way to decorative but non-edible red berries, appreciated by birds.

Euonymus fortunei 'Coloratus' grows in any well-drained soil, in a non-arid position, preferably semi-shaded. Pruning is unnecessary; it is better to pinch the young plants to encourage branching and only remove dead or diseased wood. It can be used in pots or planters on a terrace, in rockeries or bordering flower beds, and even to highlight the curve of a pathway or the steps of a staircase, or to cover the slope of a retaining wall. It is useful for greening a low wall, without becoming uncontrollable. Pair it with other sturdy ground cover plants such as Waldsteinia ternata, Bergenia, creeping cotoneasters, or other varieties of variegated creeping spindles.

Tip: In case of drought, water to maintain beautiful foliage.