Wintercreeper - Euonymus fortunei (Care, Characteristics, Symbolism, Images)

Wintercreeper

Also known as: Climbing euonymus

Euonymus fortunei, commonly known as wintercreeper, is an evergreen shrub native to East Asia. Wintercreeper is an ornamental plant, often used as a groundcover and climbing plant, due to its ability to grow like a vine. It is regarded as an invasive species in many parts of North America.

Scientific classification

Species

Wintercreeper (Euonymus fortunei)

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Perennial

Lifespan

Vine

Plant Type

Spring, Early summer, Mid summer

Bloom Time

Fall

Harvest Time

1 m to 20 m

Plant Height

60 cm to 90 cm

Spread

Green, White, Yellow, Gray, Variegated, Silver

Leaf Color

5 mm to 6 mm

Flower Size

Orange, Red, White, Pink

Fruit Color

Green, White, Yellow

Flower Color

Green, Red

Stem Color

Winter dormancy

Dormancy

Evergreen

Leaf type

10 - 35 ℃

Ideal Temperature

Summer

Growth Season

Rapid

Growth Rate

Images of Wintercreeper

Distribution of Wintercreeper

Distribution Map

Wintercreeper is native to the temperate parts of south and east Asia from Assam, India, to Korea and south to Indonesia. It has been introduced in Germany, Romania, and some of the eastern United States and Canada. It forms dense mats in riparian areas and forests, which has led to it being deemed invasive in the United States.

Native

Cultivated

Invasive

Introduced

No species reported

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Habitat

Woods and thickets in low mountains

Hemisphere Trend Curve

Northern

Sorthern

Culture

Environmental Protection Value

Fortune's spindle has strong resistance to toxic gases and can purify air.

Garden Use

Wintercreeper can be used as vertical greenery and is commonly planted in gardens and courtyards. It creates a large amount of heavy shade due to its dense, vining growth, and so is prized and used for its ability to create privacy and shade. It does well in rock and Mediterranean gardens, and is often planted with Garden Mums and Juniper, because they thrive in similar conditions.

Symbolism

Facing challenges

Interesting Facts

A long time ago, there was a little boy who really wanted to go up into the sky to see what was there. So his mother gave him a fortune's spindle plant seed. She told him that if he grew fortune's spindle, he could know what was up in the sky through it. So he found a towering tree, planted the seed beside it, and waited for fortune's spindle to slowly grow up the tree.

Name Story

Wintercreeper: The name clearly indicates its strong climbing capability that it will climb to a higher location as it grows. Although it can climb up to 20 m during its infancy, its speciality is that it stops climbing when it reaches maturity. Hence, it is called wintercreeper. Its specific epithet, fortunei comes from the name of the botanist, Robert Fortune.

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Cultivars

There are several recognized cultivars of Wintercreeper, including the following common varieties :

Wintercreeper 'Coloratus'Wintercreeper 'Silver Queen'Spindle trees 'Emerald gaiety'Wintercreeper 'Emerald 'n' Gold'Wintercreeper 'Canadale Gold'Euonymus 'Harlequin'Wintercreeper 'Gold Splash'

Toxicity

Wintercreeper poses a significant health risk to both cats and dogs due to its toxicity. All parts of wintercreeper, including flowers, fruits, leaves, roots, seeds, stems, bark, and sap/juice, are poisonous. Immediate veterinary care is essential if a pet ingests wintercreeper, as symptoms may include vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain. Prevent access to safeguard pet health.

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Quickly Identify Wintercreeper

Evergreen glossy leaves with shiny upper sides and pale undersides.

Small greenish-white flowers with dome-shaped or flat petals.

Fruit with white spherical capsules revealing colorful orange to red arils.

Young green terete stems transitioning to reddish-brown woody mature branches.

Modest girth trunk with smooth gray-brown bark, developing minor fissures with maturity.

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Care Guide for Wintercreeper

Every 1-2 weeks

Water

Partial sun

Sunlight

10 - 35 ℃

Ideal Temperature

Water: Wintercreeper thrives in dense forests with consistent moisture and prefers moderate humidity. Water every 1-2 weeks, allowing soil to dry slightly. As an evergreen, it needs well-draining soil to prevent root rot due to its sensitivity to overly wet conditions.

Fertilize: For optimal growth, wintercreeper requires balanced or high-nitrogen fertilization. Apply water-soluble fertilizer monthly at quarter strength in spring and summer, and bi-monthly in fall with a lower nitrogen mix. Avoid over-fertilization to prevent burn and pest issues, ensuring wintercreeper's vibrancy and sustainability.

Pruning: Wintercreeper thrives with early spring pruning, focusing on dead wood removal, thinning for air circulation, and shaping. This promotes health and controls invasiveness. Maintain tool hygiene and avoid heavy late summer pruning to reduce stress and disease risks, supported by horticultural extension services.

Propagation: Wintercreeper can be propagated easily through softwood cuttings or layering, ideally in spring and summer. The process is simple, with successful signs being new roots and shoots. Keep the soil moist and avoid direct sunlight for optimal results.

Repotting: Repot wintercreeper every 2-3 years in spring using a slightly larger container and well-draining soil. Place in indirect light and water moderately to aid recovery. This adaptable plant thrives with basic care, especially during its active growth phase.

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Images of Wintercreeper

Distribution of Wintercreeper

Culture

Cultivars

Toxicity

Quickly Identify Wintercreeper

Care Guide for Wintercreeper

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