Wintercreeper
Euonymus fortunei · Evergreen, Broadleaf, Shrub/Vine
Plant Family
Celastraceae
Tree Category
Ornamental Shrub, Ground Cover
Variety / Cultivar
'Emerald 'n' Gold' or similar variegated cultivar
Hardiness Zones
USDA Hardiness Zones 5 to 9
About This Tree
Dense, woody evergreen shrub or climbing vine with a low-spreading or mounding form, often used as a ground cover or low hedge, featuring striking variegated foliage
Leaf Characteristics
Simple, opposite, small elliptic to ovate leaves with finely serrated margins, glossy texture, and distinctive yellow-to-gold margins with dark green centers
Bark Characteristics
Grayish-brown, smooth to slightly ridged on older stems and main trunks, becoming corky or fissured with age
Growing Information
Origin Region
East Asia (China, Japan, Korea)
Growing Season
Evergreen retaining foliage year-round; new growth emerges in spring, inconspicuous greenish flowers appear in early summer, best planted in spring or autumn
Sunlight & Water Needs
Thrives in full sun to partial shade; foliage variegation is brightest in good sunlight. Requires moderate watering during establishment, highly drought-tolerant once established
Mature Size
Typically grows 1 to 3 feet tall as a shrub or groundcover, spreading 3 to 5 feet wide, with a moderate growth rate
Special Characteristics
Highly tolerant of urban pollution, heavy pruning, poor soils, and salt spray; valued primarily for year-round colorful variegated foliage
Wildlife & Ecology
Provides modest cover for small ground-dwelling birds and insects; produces infrequent small fruits that may be consumed by local wildlife