Japanese Euonymus Euonymus fortunei

This Euonymus shrub-vine, commonly called a Wintercreeper, is listed as invasive in NC and also in the southeast and northeast. Some cultivars (see list) may be a vine or even a small shrub. The vining cultivars are invasive as well as some shrubs. When used as ground cover for the showy leaves it tends to climb if given support. This plant is frequently damaged by deer and is salt tolerant.

Like all Euonymus plants, this one is poisonous if any parts are eaten in large quantities. The berries, or any plant parts, 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.

The size is variable as it may grow quite tall and shrub or vine like, growing up a wall, tree, or trellis. As a groundcover, it can be kept to several inches tall, two to four feet as a small shrub, or around 15 feet as a standard vine on a trellis, or several times that if growing up a tree towards sunlight. This can also depend on which cultivar is planted.  It makes a good hedge either clipped or allowed to grow naturally.

The plant is semi-evergreen to evergreen and does not display fall leaf color. The long lasting fall berries have orange aril (pulp), however. The berries emerge from a capsule that splits longwise. 

It is easily transplanted from woody cuttings and tolerates a variety of soils other than wet ground. Adult plants have unremarkable small quarter inch flowers in the spring, usually greenish-white.

Quick ID Hints:

• Evergreen, opposite, crenate-serrate leaves
• Procumbent climbing groundcover or med-large shrub
• prominent axillary buds

This species has two distinct morphologies: the juvenile form which is a procumbent, vine-like groundcover; and the adult form which is a shrub. Leaf types are highly variable. Variegated, colored and green cultivars are available, with non-green forms tendency to revert to green. 

Tolerates full sun and heavy shade; pH adaptable; tolerant of most soils except wet conditions; transplants readily; pest problems.

Problems: Scale and winter leaf burn

More information on Euonymus.