Fortune's euonymus is gaining more and more popularity among gardeners. And this is not surprising, because shrubs with succulent leaves covered with incredible patterns fit perfectly into any landscape. In addition, the plants are quite unpretentious, and even a novice florist will cope with the care and planting of Fortune's euonymus. The main thing is to adhere to the rules for growing shrubs.
Description
Fortune's Euonymus belongs to the Euonymus family. This evergreen, creeping shrub came to us from China and quickly won the hearts of flower growers. And all thanks to frost resistance and non-capricious character. In addition, the culture grows rapidly and creates a juicy green carpet in a short time.
Shrub shoots reach 30-60 cm, but the plant itself grows to 3 meters in length. After all, its stems, in contact with the ground, form adventitious roots, with which it “grabs” the surface. They also help to “climb” the euonymus up the support. Therefore, the plant is often used to decorate buildings.
Popular varieties
Breeders have bred many varieties of Fortune's euonymus. Andeach of them deserves special attention. Consider the most popular varieties:
- Emerald Gold. Compact shrub reaches 30 cm in height. Elliptical leaves are painted in emerald color with golden edging. In autumn they turn bright pink. The variety is frost-resistant and withstands temperatures down to -25 ºC without shelter.
- Emerald Gaiety. Compact bush does not exceed 20 cm in height. The leaves are dark green with a white border. In autumn they turn purple. Frost resistance is average.
- Silver Queen. This variety is valued for its fast growth. The height of the euonymus is 20 cm. The unusual color of the leaves makes the plant attractive. They have an emerald center and a snow-white edging. The shrub turns bright pink in autumn.
- SunSpot. The shrub reaches 20 cm in height. The leaves are dark green with a bright golden speck in the middle. Winters without shelter in northern regions.
- Minimus. A dwarf variety up to 5 cm high. The leaves are green with snow-white veins. Their length does not exceed 1 cm. The plant is frost-resistant, suitable for decorating mixborders and rock gardens.
- Coloratus. The variety grows up to 1.5 meters wide, climbs well along the support. The leaves of the shrub are dark green, turning purple in autumn.
- Variegatus. The shrub reaches 20–30 cm in height. It has emerald leaves with a snow-white edging. The variety withstands even low temperatures and is suitable for growing in northern regions.
- Harlequin. A dwarf variety that thrives in shady areas. Shoot height - 40cm, width - one meter. The plant has white leaves with pink, yellow and cream patches.
Each of these varieties will decorate the backyard. In addition, they can be grown as houseplants. Fortune's euonymus is unpretentious both at home and in the open field. And all he needs is periodic watering and top dressing.
Choosing a seat
Fortune's spindle tree is a photophilous plant. For him, choose illuminated areas. In the shade, the pattern of the leaves of the culture will fade. But it is desirable that the shrub is protected from the midday rays. Therefore, the best place for him will be the east or west side of the site.
The plant does not impose special requirements on the soil, the main thing is that the soil is light, fertile and breathable with a neutral or slightly alkaline reaction. And in acidic soil, culture will lose its decorative effect and wither away.
Euonymus does not tolerate stagnant moisture at the roots. And it can not be planted in wetlands or in lowlands. If you grow a crop near a body of water, then be sure to make drainage.
Landing
You can plant a crop in spring and autumn. But experienced gardeners advise the end of April - the beginning of May. Then the plant has time to take root before the onset of cold weather and calmly endures the winter. When growing euonymus, remember that the plant is poisonous. Therefore, take care of him only with rubber gloves.
So, how to plant a crop:
- If the soil on the sitedoes not fit the euonymus, then pre-prepare it. To make the soil light, add sand and peat. And dolomite flour or ash will help alkalize acidic soil.
- Dig holes or trenches twice the depth of the earthen clod. Mix the resulting soil with compost or humus. Mineral fertilizer will also be useful.
- Pour a 10 cm layer of drainage into the bottom. For these purposes, use broken brick, pebbles or expanded clay. Sprinkle some potting mix on top.
- Carefully remove the seedling from the pot, and place it in the hole along with the earthen clod. Keep the root collar flush with the ground.
- Fill the voids with soil and tamp.
- Form a watering circle and moisten the soil.
The next day, loosen the top layer of soil and be sure to mulch the trunk circle with chopped bark, sawdust or compost. At first, protect the shrub from direct sunlight.
Irrigation
Fortune's spindle tree, the photo of which is presented in the article, is a drought-resistant plant, and it needs frequent moisture in the first year after planting. Adult crops have enough rainfall and groundwater. But during the dry season, water the plant once a week.
Moisten the euonymus under the roots, being careful not to get moisture on the leaves. Water the plants only with warm, settled water. After each watering or rain, gently loosen the ground near the bush. But do not "dig" the soil too deep, because the culture has shallow roots.
Feeding
Apply complex mineral fertilizers twice a year - in May and September. In addition, organic matter, which should be added to the mulch, will also be useful. But with such fertilizers it is advisable not to overdo it, because from an excess of nitrogen the plant will lose the variegation of the leaves.
Mulching
Sprinkle a layer of mulch around the shrub regularly. Such an agricultural technique is useful in care - Fortune's euonymus will receive additional nutrition, in addition, you will protect the plant from pests, weeds and fungal diseases. In addition, mulch retains moisture at the roots of the plant. For these purposes, use chopped bark, dry grass, sawdust or peat.
Cutting
To preserve the decorativeness of the shrub, be sure to remove all wilted and broken shoots. In addition, the plant perfectly tolerates formative pruning, it can be given any shape. But carry out a similar procedure in the spring or after fruiting.
Preparing for winter
Adult plants calmly tolerate temperature drops to -25 °C. And all they need for wintering is mulching with peat or humus.
But be sure to cover young crops 2–3 years after planting. To do this, use non-woven material, or cover the bushes with a layer of spruce branches, fallen leaves.
Propagation by layering
Fortune's spindle tree will take root as it grows. Everything, thatwhat you need is to carefully cut off the shoots with developed roots and transplant them to a new place. But do not forget to treat the cut points with Kornevin or Epin. These drugs will accelerate the rooting of the shoots.
If you are growing a crop for vertical gardening, then dig small grooves in the near-stem circle of the bush. After that, select strong shoots, bend them to the recesses and cover with earth. When the cuttings have roots, cut them from the mother plant and transplant to a permanent place.
This method of growing is simple, even an inexperienced gardener can handle it. But it is suitable only for adult shrubs. You will learn how to propagate young plants in the next chapter.
Propagation by cuttings
This breeding method will not cause any trouble. Host an event in the summer. For cuttings, choose young, green shoots 10-12 cm high with at least one leaf node. Don't forget to prepare the substrate. To do this, mix equal parts peat and sand.
How to root cuttings:
- Cut off the shoots with a sharp knife and remove the bottom pair of leaves. Make the bottom cut at an angle of 45°.
- Place the twigs in a solution of any growth stimulant for 1-2 hours.
- Pour a layer of drainage into the bottom of containers or boxes and cover it with substrate.
- Root the cuttings, spray them with warm water from a spray bottle and cover with glass.
- Place the greenhouse in a bright, cool place.
In order for the plants to take root, do not forget to periodically ventilate and water the seedlings. After 1–1.5 months,when the seedlings get stronger and give roots, plant them in open ground. Be sure to cover young shrubs for the winter.
Dividing the bush
This method is used to propagate dwarf varieties. Start the event in mid-spring. Then the seedlings will get stronger until frost and calmly overwinter. How to divide a bush:
- Carefully dig up the mother plant and remove excess soil from the roots.
- Divide the shrub into parts. At the same time, make sure that each of them has strong root processes.
- Treat the cuts with Kornevin or wood ash and plant the seedlings in a new place.
The first time it is desirable to protect plants from direct sunlight. In the future, provide shrubs with normal care.
Attractive Fortune euonymus will decorate your site. In addition, the cultivation of this shrub does not take much time and effort. Therefore, if you do not know what to plant in a flower bed, then pay attention to this culture. She will not disappoint you.
