Spindle 'Dart's Blanket' Euonymus fortunei 'Dart's Blanket'

Water

Wintercreeper should be watered thoroughly, allowing the soil to become slightly dry between waterings. Typically, this means watering the plant every week or two, depending on the climate and weather conditions. Ensure you provide enough water to soak the root zone, which could be about 1-2 gallons for a mature plant, depending on its size and the soil type. During hot, dry periods, you may need to water more frequently, but always check the soil moisture before doing so. Overwatering can lead to root rot, so it is vital to ensure good drainage and to avoid letting the plant sit in waterlogged soil.

Light

Wintercreeper thrives in a variety of light conditions, from full sun to partial shade. Ideally, place it in a spot where it receives morning sunlight and partial shade in the afternoon, as this will encourage vibrant foliage color and dense growth. The plant can also adapt to full shade, but its growth may be less vigorous and its foliage less colorful.

Temperature

Wintercreeper is hardy and can tolerate a range of temperatures, thriving ideally between 50°F and 80°F. It can survive minimum temperatures down to about -20°F, making it suitable for many temperate regions. Avoid exposing the plant to extreme heat above 90°F for prolonged periods, as this can stress the plant.

Pruning

Prune Wintercreeper to maintain a desired shape, control its spread, and remove any dead or damaged branches. The best time for pruning is late winter or early spring before new growth begins. Prune annually or as needed to keep the plant tidy, and use sharp pruning shears to make clean cuts.

Cleaning

As needed

Soil

Wintercreeper thrives in well-draining, loamy soil with a pH range between 6.0 and 7.5. A mix of two parts garden soil, one part peat, and one part perlite or coarse sand is ideal for optimal growth and drainage.

Repotting

Wintercreeper should be repotted every 2-3 years to refresh the soil and accommodate root growth. It's best to repot in early spring before the growing season.

Humidity & Misting

Wintercreeper tolerates a wide range of humidity levels but prefers moderate humidity. No special humidity adjustments are necessary for this hardy plant.

Suitable locations

• Indoor

  Place in bright, indirect light with occasional watering.

• Outdoor

  Plant in well-draining soil; partial sun to full shade.

• Hardiness zone

  4-9 USDA

Life cycle

Wintercreeper, Euonymus fortunei 'Dart's Blanket', begins its life cycle when seeds are disseminated by birds or other vectors after fruiting. These seeds undergo a period of dormancy until conditions are favorable for germination. Upon germinating in the spring, the seedlings establish themselves and begin to grow into dense, evergreen ground-cover mats. As the plant matures, it develops woody stems and can begin to exhibit climbing behaviour if vertical surfaces are available. Throughout its life, which can span many years, wintercreeper will continue to spread and can become quite invasive in some areas. The plant flowers in early summer, producing inconspicuous greenish flowers that, once pollinated, give way to the purple-red fruits that complete the life cycle when dispersed.

Propogation

• Propogation time

  Spring-Early Summer

• The most popular method of propagation for Wintercreeper, specifically the Euonymus fortunei 'Dart's Blanket', is through semi-hardwood cuttings. This is typically done in the latter part of summer. Cut a 4 to 6-inch (10 to 15 cm) length of semi-hardwood stem that has a few leaves at the top. Remove the leaves from the lower half of the cutting and dip this end into rooting hormone to enhance root development. Next, plant the cutting into a pot filled with moistened soil or a mix of peat and perlite, ensuring that the leafless part is buried. Then, cover the pot with a plastic bag or place it in a propagation chamber to maintain high humidity around the cutting. Keep the soil moist but not waterlogged and within a few weeks, the cutting should root and can eventually be transplanted outdoors.