Purpleleaf Wintercreeper Euonymus fortunei 'Colorata'

Purpleleaf Winter Creeper is an herbaceous, perennial, evergreen trailing ground cover, less than a foot in height and with a 1 to 3 foot spread at maturity. It spreads indefinitely by rooting stems, eventually forming a sprawling, tangled, bushy mat, similar in habit to English ivy. It will climb vertical surfaces from trellises to trees like a vine. It is a vigorous grower and readily escapes into native forests. When used as ground cover for the showy leaves, it tends to climb if given support. Stems root where they touch the ground and the plant can be propagated by rooted stem cuttings. Trim annually after flowering to maintain attractive shape. While it is one of the more popular ground covers, t is considered invasive in states surrounding North Carolina. 

Purpleleaf Winter Creeper is found in deciduous forests and low woodlands and is weedy in disturbed areas around houses and buildings. It tolerates a wide range of soil types, drought, and full shade, but prefers full sun to medium shade, moist to dry-mesic conditions, and soil containing loam, clay-loam, sand, and gravelly material. It is pH adaptable and is easily transplanted from woody cuttings.

A number of plants in this genus are poisonous and caution is advised. Avoid eating any parts of this plant in large quantities. The berries in particular should not be eaten by humans. The berries are eaten by some birds which is how the plant is spread and often how it becomes more invasive.

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Diseases, Insect Pests, and Other Plant Problems: 

Euonymus scale and winter leaf burn can be problems. Susceptible to anthracnose, aphids, powdery mildew and crown gall. This plant is frequently damaged by deer and is salt tolerant.

The Clemson Cooperative Extension Home & Garden Information Center has a factsheet on common pests and diseases.

More information on Euonymus fortunei.