Euonymus fortunei
Common name: 
Wintercreeper Euonymus
Wintercreeper
Pronunciation: 
u-ON-i-mus for-TU-ne-i
Family: 
Celastraceae
Genus: 
Euonymus
Type: 
Broadleaf
Native to (or naturalized in) Oregon: 
No
  • Broadleaf evergreen vine or trailing shrub, also a mounding shrub to 1-3 ft (30-75 cm) high and 2-4 ft (60-120 cm) wide, if supported will climb to 40-70 ft (12-21 m).  A variable species because it mutates readily and forms a wide range of leaf types.  Leaves of the species are opposite and usually 2.5-6.5 cm long, serrate margins, dark green and marked with silver veins.  Flowers not often present, greenish-white, small, about 6 mm, inconspicuous.  Fruit dehiscent capsules, open to reveal orange seeds, often not formed and/or inconspicuous.
  • Sun to part shade.  Prefers a light, well-drained soil, but tolerant of moisture and most soil types.  Easy to grow.
  • Hardy to USDA Zone 5    Native to Japan, Korea, and China.   A large number of selections are available, see some selections.
  • Note: Euonymus fortunei has invasive tendencies, it spreads easily and if not managed carefully can escape from cultivation and move into native plant areas and crowd out native species.
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  • leaves

    leaves