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ShrubsSynonym

Euonymus fortunei 'Gracilis'

wintercreeper 'Variegatus'

A creeping and trailing evergreen shrub, with ovate varigated leaves, dark green margined with creamy white. Inconspicuous pale greeny white flowers in summer, occasionally followed by pale pinky orange fruits. This shrub is generally grown for its variegated foliage and versatility of climbing, creeping and trailing.

Synonyms

Euonymus fortunei 'Gracilis'

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Ultimate height

1–1.5 metres

Time to ultimate height

5–10 years

Ultimate spread

1.5–2.5 metres

Chalk

Clay

Loam

Sand

Moisture

Moist but well–drained, Well–drained

pH

Acid, Alkaline, Neutral

	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Full sun
Partial shade

Aspect

East–facing or North–facing or South–facing or West–facing

Exposure

Exposed or Sheltered

Hardiness
Hardiness ratings
All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets
H1a: under glass all year (>15C)
H1b: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1c: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)

Botanical details

Family: Celastraceae
Native to the UK: No
Foliage: Evergreen
Habit: Matforming, Climbing
Potentially harmful: Humans/Pets: Harmful if eaten, wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling. For further information and contact numbers regarding pets, see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants
Genus: Euonymus can be deciduous or evergreen shrubs or small trees, often with fine autumn colour, and small flowers followed by colourful fruits
Name status: Accepted

How to grow

Cultivation

Grow in well-drained soil in sun or partial shade, can be grown as ground cover or as a short climber. Can be prone to reversion

Propagation

Propagate by semi-ripe cuttings

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Cottage and informal garden
Patio and container plants
City and courtyard gardens
Low Maintenance
Flower borders and beds
Banks and slopes
Ground cover

Pruning

Pruning group 8

Pests

May be susceptible to vine weevil, horse chestnut scale, euonymus scale and caterpillars

Diseases

May be susceptible to powdery mildews, a leaf spot and sometimes honey fungus

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