The euonymus retains decorativeness until late autumn. Several hundred species of evergreen and deciduous shrubs of this family are known in the world. Winter-hardy varieties include red euonymos, which grow in the European part of Russia.
What does a creeping spindle tree look like, to which family does it belong
The Euonymus group, or euonymus, includes low-growing and tall shrubs with different shapes and colors of leaves.
Briefly about the history of the appearance
The euonymus family includes more than 200 species. It grows in Asian countries, on Sakhalin, the American continent, in Europe. According to one version, the name of the plant is translated as "alluring beauty", according to another - "good, glorious."
The spindle groves are especially beautiful in the fall, when the leaves become reddish.
Description of the euonymus plant
There are several main groups:
- evergreen shrub species with leathery leaves. They grow such euonymus as a room flower. A spherical bush grows up to 50 cm tall;
- creeping euonymus - a groundcover with shoots up to 1.5 m long, up to 35 cm high;
- tall euonymos on the stem, they are shaped like trees;
- soft, falling down leaves appear in the description of the winged spindle tree.
Shoots are round or tetrahedral, some varieties have cork growths.
Important! Plant juice is poisonous, causes food poisoning, diarrhea, causes skin burns.
Use in landscape design
The shrub is good in single and group plantings. The euonymus mottled creeping is beautiful on cascades of alpine hills, mountainous terrain. For solitaire planting, medium-sized varieties with colored leaves are used.
Note! Heat-loving varieties are suitable for pot growing, in winter they are transferred to the winter garden, with the onset of spring, plants decorate the plots.
With this species diversity, you can arrange the site with euonymus alone
Description of the popular varieties of creeping variegated euonymos, their advantages and disadvantages
Compactus
Compactus bush reaches 1.5 meters in height, forms a spherical crown with a diameter of up to 2 meters. The crown is compact, thickened, without formation it becomes openwork from the edges. In autumn, green leaves acquire a red-violet color. The fruits are red-orange.
Fortune
Creeping euonymus with variegated spots and strokes on the leaves - fast-growing. Euonymus fortunei native to China, frost-resistant, evergreen, white-green. Emerald Gold is a Japanese variety of yellow euonymus, which is able to creep, forming a cover up to 30 cm high.
Other
Chicago grows to 1.5 meters tall, elliptical leaves with the onset of frost become crimson. Fireball is appreciated for its spherical shape, ribbed shoots, dense crown, red-purple autumn color. In Macrophilis, elongated leaves acquire a carmine color, the fruits are bright orange, decorative.
Features of caring for creeping euonymus in open ground
For a garden euonymus, sites that dry early in spring are chosen. He takes root well on hills, slopes. Creeping well tolerates partial shade, diffused light.
Watering
Watering is necessary only in the dry period.
Spraying
Irrigation is allowed.
Note! Spraying produces foliar top dressing of young plants in the phase of active growth, supporting plants in the winter.
Humidity
The shrub does not like excess moisture, but the earthen lump should always remain wet.
Priming
Subtropical plants grow well on loose, humus-rich soils, leafy soil.
Top dressing:
- in the spring make nitrogen fertilizers;
- in the summer, the bush needs phosphorus, potassium, calcium;
- in autumn, the soil is enriched with superphosphate, ash, compost.
Features of winter care, rest period
Heat-loving evergreen euonymus needs home conditions, care is the same as in the garden. Since December, the pot is transferred to a place where the temperature is from 5 to 15 degrees. The earth is kept moist.
When and how it blooms
Types of flowers
In May-June, the bush is covered with a scattering of small light flowers collected in inflorescences, they have up to 5 sepals, the same number of petals. The pestle has lobed ovary. Flowers are:
- white with brittle petals;
- corymbal green with carpal inflorescences;
- brownish with axillary leaves.
Flowers and fruits of Maak cultivar look decorative in late autumn
Flower shapes:
- spherical;
- webbed fused;
- straight single row;
- curved outward.
Flowering period
Bushes begin to bloom in May and June, depending on which variety. Deciduous blooms later than evergreens.
Changes in flowering care
Inflorescences like chameleons change color: from white or pale green turn into scarlet, red-pink, purple, carmine or rich yellow. Orange, light yellow or bright red fruits form.
Euonymus at home: care
Pruning
The crown is adjusted with clippers or pruners. The bush can be given any shape necessary for landscape design. Pruning is carried out in early spring or late autumn.
Important! It is necessary to work with rubber gloves and goggles, the shoots are put in compost, they clean the soil well of fungal infections.
How euonymus spawns in the garden
When reproducing euonymus, landing is done in early spring.
Seed germination
Seeds are harvested during cracking of seed bolls. How to plant euonymus:
- seeds are kept in the refrigerator (winter-hardy varieties in the freezer) for 4 or 6 months;
- before deepening the seeds are wrapped in a damp cloth for punching;
- deepen the seed with a sprout by 0.5 cm, create conditions of high humidity and temperature;
- grow seedlings at home for 2 years.
For cuttings take young shoots from 5-year-old bushes
Rooting cuttings
On each branch with a length of 6 to 10 cm, an internode is left. After a week's stay in the water and the formation of roots, cuttings in June-early July are planted in a greenhouse or greenhouse. Transferred to the ground at the end of September.
Air lay
Siblings grow well in spring and autumn. They are moved to a permanent place immediately after the snow melts or at the beginning of September in order to take root before winter.
Other options
In the garden, dwarf and creeping euonymus are often propagated by dividing the bush, parts with a full rhizome are carefully separated from the mother bush. In the delenka, before planting in 2/3 of the parts, the shoots are shortened.
Possible problems in growing creeping euonymus:
- leaves turn pale;
- with insufficient light, excessive humidity, the color changes;
- the tips of the leaves dry;
- lack of phosphorus and potassium fertilizers, excess nitrogen, excessive soil moisture;
- lower leaves fall off.
Possible causes are too dry ground, extreme heat or sucking pests.
Pests
In the hot season: aphids, caterpillars, spider mites. The leaves curl and begin to crumble.
Other problems
When leaving and growing, it is advisable to inspect euonymus regularly. It is prone to powdery mildew.
Important! On a green cone for prevention, spraying with Bordeaux liquid is carried out, the earth is sprinkled with Fitosporin during the heat season with high humidity.
Variety "Compactus" is used for a single landing
Beresklet Kompaktus, Fortuna, Winged - are not uncommon in areas. Bushes are planted in remote areas, away from animals and children. Plants add color to the gray autumn landscape.
