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Genus Euonymus (Spindle tree)

Euonymus Euonymus fortunei 'Minimus' Photo/Illustration: Michelle Gervais
yew-ON-ih-mus Common Name: Spindle tree
The genus Euonymus is comprised of 175 species of shrubs, trees, and climbers grown for their attractive foliage, interesting fruit, and good autumn color. Most are native to Asia. Euonymus have a variety of uses in the garden, including as part of a shrub border or as specimens, hedges, or groundcovers.
Noteworthy characteristics: Nice autumn color and ornamental fruit. All parts cause mild stomach discomfort if eaten.
Care: Tolerates most any well-drained soil in full sun or light shade. Evergreens need a sheltered site, while variegated plants show best in sun.
Propagation: As soon as seeds ripen, sow them in containers in a cold frame. Deciduous species can be started from greenwood cuttings in summer. Propagate evergreen species in summer from semi-ripe cuttings.
Problems: Witches' broom, stem dieback, powdery mildew, and fungal spots. Some pests and diseases can cause problems both in the garden and indoors, including mites, scale insects, leaf miners, aphids, and mealybugs.

Species, varieties and cultivars for genus Euonymus

Euonymus alatus Euonymus alatus
(Burning bush, Winged spindle tree)
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Hardiness Zones: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

The familiar burning bush is a dense, flat-topped, deciduous shrub with a rounded, horizontal branching habit. Reddish purple fruit grows beneath the simple, finely toothed, dark green leaves. Foliage turns an extremely showy bright red in autumn. Smaller cultivars exist.

Euonymus atropurpureus Euonymus atropurpureus
(Eastern wahoo)
(1 user review)
Hardiness Zones: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

Because it is a relative of the immensely popular burning bush (E. alatus), it isn't surprising that eastern wahoo has great fall color. This North American native grows as a small tree in the southern part of its range and as a large shrub on the Plains. The bright red of its fall foliage is amplified and extended by abundant clusters of scarlet fruits that persist after the leaves have fallen, providing color even into midwinter. Eastern wahoo is effective as an accent plant or when massed wherever a bold, surprising splash of color is desired.

Euonymus fortunei 'Minimus' Euonymus fortunei 'Minimus'
(Dwarf wintercreeper)
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Hardiness Zones: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

'Minimus' has smaller leaves than other plants of the species and a very low-growing, spreading habit. This evergreen shrub is best used as a groundcover, but it can climb as a vine if given support. It forms a dense mat of quarter-inch leaves. It may suffer winter burn in cold climates.

no image available Euonymus fortunei cvs.
(Wintercreeper)
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Hardiness Zones: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

Prostrate to mound-forming, vigorous evergreen shrubs have oval, toothed, dark green leaves. Cultivars vary in foliage color and variegation, form, climbing or creeping habit, and fall interest.