Wintercreeper Euonymus fortunei 'Tustin'
ABOUT
The Wintercreeper 'Tustin' is an attractive, evergreen shrub known for its vibrant foliage. It exhibits a dense, bushy growth habit with broad, glossy leaves. The leaves are typically oval-shaped with finely serrated edges and are celebrated for their lush green color. Often, the foliage can display hints of emerald and may occasionally show lighter green or creamy white variegation, adding a striking contrast to gardens throughout the year. During the growing season, the Wintercreeper 'Tustin' can produce inconspicuous flowers which are small and not particularly showy when compared to its beautiful leaves. These are often followed by fruits that may appear interesting but are not the main attraction of this plant. The plant's appearance is versatile; it can serve as a ground cover, climbing vine if given support, or it can be trained as a shrub, depending on how it is maintained. This characteristic makes Wintercreeper 'Tustin' a popular choice for a variety of landscaping uses, as it can adapt to different roles in the garden while providing year-round visual interest with its lush, green foliage.
About this plant
NamesFamily
Celastraceae.
Synonyms
Wintercreeper, Fortune's Spindle, Winter Creeper, Fortune's Euonymus.
Common names
Euonymus fortunei 'Tustin'.
ToxicityTo humans
Wintercreeper is considered poisonous to humans if ingested. Consuming parts of the plant can lead to symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, weakness, chills, coma, and convulsions. It contains compounds called cardiac glycosides which can disrupt the heart's electrical conduction. In severe cases, cardiac problems can occur which might be life-threatening. It is recommended to seek medical attention immediately if ingestion is suspected.
To pets
Wintercreeper is also toxic to pets, including dogs and cats. Ingesting parts of this plant can cause similar symptoms as in humans, such as vomiting, diarrhea, weakness, and heart problems due to the cardiac glycosides it contains. In severe cases, ingestion can lead to serious illness or even death. Immediate veterinary care is advised if a pet has consumed any part of the wintercreeper.
CharacteristicsLife cycle
Perennials
Foliage type
Evergreen
Color of leaves
Green
Height
2-3 feet (0.6-0.9 meters)
Spread
4-6 feet (1.2-1.8 meters)
Plant type
Shrub
Hardiness zones
5
Native area
China, Korea
Benefits
General Benefits- Low Maintenance: Wintercreeper requires minimal care once established, suiting gardeners seeking an easy-to-maintain landscape.
- Drought Tolerance: After establishing, it can tolerate periods of dryness, reducing the need for frequent watering.
- Versatility: It can be used in different landscapes as a ground cover, vine, or shrub, depending on pruning and training.
- Evergreen Foliage: It provides year-round greenery and color in gardens with its evergreen leaves.
- Erosion Control: Its dense growth habit helps to stabilize soil and prevent erosion on slopes.
- Tolerates Different Soils: Wintercreeper can grow in a wide range of soil types, including clay, loamy, and sandy soils.
- Pest Resistance: It has some resistance to pests and diseases, requiring less pesticide use.
- Adaptable to Shade: It performs well in part shade, allowing for landscape design under trees and in other low-light areas.
- Deer Resistance: The plant is not particularly palatable to deer, making it a good choice for areas with deer pressure.
- Variety of Colors: Varieties like 'Tustin' often offer attractive foliar variegation, adding visual interest to the landscape.
Medical PropertiesThis plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying QualitiesThis plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses- Privacy Screens: Wintercreeper can be grown as a dense hedge to provide privacy in residential or commercial landscapes.
- Bonsai Cultivation: Due to its small leaves and woody stems, Wintercreeper's adaptability makes it a suitable plant for bonsai enthusiasts.
- Erosion Control: Wintercreeper can be used on slopes and banks to help prevent soil erosion due to its mat-forming growth habit.
- Landscape Design Patterns: Wintercreeper can be trimmed into patterns or designs to add visual interest to flat green spaces or walls.
- Topiary Art: The plant's sturdy structure allows it to be shaped into various forms for topiary art, providing a creative aspect to gardens and parks.
- Living Walls: Wintercreeper can be trained to grow vertically on support structures, creating 'living walls' for aesthetic or privacy purposes.
- Maze Gardens: Thanks to its dense growth, Wintercreeper can be used to create maze gardens in parks and large gardens.
- Craft Material: The vines of Wintercreeper can be dried and used in wreaths, arrangements, or other decorative craft projects.
- Groundcover for Potted Trees: Wintercreeper can act as a decorative and functional groundcover in large pots that showcase centerpiece trees.
- Wildlife Habitat: Though not its primary use, when grown densely, Wintercreeper can provide small animals and insects with shelter and a microhabitat.
Interesting Facts
Feng ShuiWintercreeper is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign CompitabilityWintercreeper is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism- Adaptability: Euonymus fortunei 'Tustin', commonly known as Wintercreeper, is known for its ability to adapt to a wide range of conditions, symbolizing versatility and the capacity to thrive in varied environments.
- Resilience: As an evergreen plant, Wintercreeper represents endurance and the ability to persist through challenging situations, much like it persists through the winter months.
- Growth: With its natural tendency to spread and cover ground, Wintercreeper symbolizes steady growth and expansion, suggesting a progressive or aspirational mindset.
WaterFor the Wintercreeper, it's important to water it thoroughly when the top inch of soil feels dry. This typically means watering once a week, but frequency should be adjusted according to temperature and humidity conditions. When you do water, aim to use around 1-2 gallons for an established plant, ensuring the water penetrates the soil to reach the roots. Over-watering can lead to root rot, so ensure good drainage and reduce watering in cooler months when the plant is not actively growing.
LightWintercreeper thrives in a variety of light conditions, from full sun to partial shade. It's best situated in a spot that gets at least 4 hours of direct sunlight daily, but it can also handle some shade. Avoid deep, full shade, as this can reduce the density and vibrancy of the foliage.
TemperatureWintercreeper can survive in a range of temperatures but prefers a consistent climate. It's hardy and can tolerate minimum temperatures down to about -30°F, while the maximum temperature could go well above 100°F. The ideal temperature range for cultivating healthy growth is between 60°F and 80°F.
PruningPruning Wintercreeper helps maintain its shape, encourage bushier growth, and remove any damaged or diseased parts. The best time for pruning is in the late winter or early spring before new growth begins. Light pruning can be done periodically throughout the growing season to keep the plant looking tidy.
CleaningAs needed
SoilWintercreeper requires well-draining soil with a pH range of 6.0 to 8.0. An ideal soil mix can be made with equal parts of garden soil, peat moss, and perlite or coarse sand to ensure good drainage and aeration. Organic matter such as compost can also be added to provide nutrients.
RepottingWintercreeper should be repotted every 2 to 3 years to refresh the soil and prevent it from becoming root-bound. Choose a container only one size larger than the previous to avoid overpotting and waterlogging.
Humidity & MistingWintercreeper thrives best in average household humidity levels. It can tolerate some dryness but will appreciate a boost in humidity during dry winter months.
Suitable locationsIndoor
Provide bright indirect light and moderate watering.
Outdoor
Plant in partial shade, water regularly, and mulch the soil.
Hardiness zone
5-9 USDA
Life cycleEuonymus fortunei 'Tustin', commonly known as Wintercreeper, begins its life cycle as a seed, which germinates in spring to produce a small seedling. The seedling then grows rapidly through the spring and summer, developing into a juvenile plant with characteristic green foliage. As the plant matures, it enters a vegetative state where it spreads horizontally or climbs nearby structures through the production of aerial roots. After several years, the Wintercreeper may produce small, inconspicuous flowers, usually in summer, followed by the development of small, reddish fruits that open to disperse seeds in fall or winter. The plant is predominantly evergreen and can persist for many years, going through seasonal cycles of growth and reproduction. Over time, as it matures, the Wintercreeper can become woody and form a dense ground cover or clinging vine, capable of vegetative propagation through stem cuttings or layering.
PropogationPropogation time
Spring-Early Summer
The most common method of propagation for Euonymus fortunei 'Tustin', commonly known as Wintercreeper, is through stem cuttings. This is usually done in late spring to early summer when the plant is actively growing. To propagate, a gardener would take a 4 to 6-inch cutting from a healthy, non-flowering stem, ensuring that there are at least 2 to 3 sets of leaves on the cutting. The bottom set of leaves is removed, and the cut end can be dipped in rooting hormone to encourage root growth. The cutting is then placed in a well-draining potting mix, with the leafless part buried. The soil should be kept moist but not soggy, and the cuttings should be placed in indirect sunlight until roots develop, which typically occurs within 4 to 6 weeks. Once the cuttings have rooted, they can be transplanted to their final location.
