Euonymus fortunei Emerald Gaiety - Spindle

Euonymus fortunei 'Emerald Gaiety' is an excellent variety of creeping spindle bush with an elegant evergreen foliage variegated with cream white. Decorative even in winter, this small, wide and bushy shrub is extremely attractive: it dresses up the rockery, forms a bright and refined border, or decorates the terrace in all seasons. An excellent ground cover, it can also be trained on a support.

Originating from Asia and northern China, Euonymus fortunei is a slow-growing ground cover bush of the Celastraceae family. It is perfectly hardy, resistant to sea spray, and tolerant of limestone in the soil. 'Emerald Gaiety' is a beautiful variegated form that has won the Award of Garden Merit (A.G.M) from the Royal Horticultural Society. It is valued for its vigour as well as for its particularly bright foliage. At maturity, this cultivar will reach approximately 1 m (3.3 ft) in height with a spread of 1.50 m (4.9 ft). 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 are serrated and measure 2 cm to 4 cm (0.8 in to 1.6 in) long. The foliage has a dark green centre marbled with grey-green and is widely bordered with cream white, with the border turning pink in winter. In spring, between May and late June, a discreet flowering appears on the current year's shoots. It takes the form of small clusters of white to greenish flowers measuring 2 mm to 5 mm (0.2 in) in diameter. They give way to decorative berries, which are enjoyed by birds. These white, spherical fruits, 2 mm to 6 mm (0.2 in) in diameter, contain orange seeds.

Euonymus fortunei 'Emerald Gaiety' can be found in flower beds, slopes, rockeries, and can be used as ground cover. It can also be used as a low hedge or even in pots for balconies and terraces. It makes a striking standalone plant. This plant is entirely toxic to humans. However, it attracts birds. It is a climbing plant if supported by a structure. In this case, it is possible to make it climb up to 3 m (9.8 ft) along a wall, fence, or even a tree. It is useful for greening a low wall, without becoming uncontrollable. Some ideas to accompany it in the garden: Bergenia, creeping cotoneasters, aubrietas, Ajuga, small periwinkle 'Flower Power' .