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Winterberry Euonymus Euonymus maackii

Previously known as:

  • Euonymus bungeanus
Phonetic Spelling
yoo-ON-ih-mus MAK-ee-eye
This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
See below
Description

Winterberry Euonymus is a winter hardy semi-evergreen that can be grown as a shrub with significant pruning, or as a small tree. At maturity it can reach a height and width of 25 feet, therefore, the location should accommodate the mature size. In its native Asia, it is often found in shrubby formations in river valleys, coastal plains, and alluvial sands. In cultivation, it is often used as a specimen or a windbreak on hillsides, large native area, or commercial or industrial parks. Fall leaf colors may be muted, depending on location but are often in the yellow brown range. Tree offshoots can invade into undesirable areas, especially if near roadsides or woodlands and the tree is unattended. The tree is semi-evergreen because leaf drop is late and often only a few weeks before spring leaves begin. This is one of the most common species in the genus. Its growth is quite variable under both cultivated and wild conditions.

The plant will grow well in most soils with full sun or partial shade, but it does not tolerate wet conditions.

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems:  Euonymus scale is a problem with most species of this plant.

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

More information on Euonymus.

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#evergreen#hardy#deciduous#small tree#poisonous#full sun tolerant#fall interest#year-round interest#seed pods#understory planting#bird friendly#partial shade tolerant
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#evergreen#hardy#deciduous#small tree#poisonous#full sun tolerant#fall interest#year-round interest#seed pods#understory planting#bird friendly#partial shade tolerant
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Euonymus
    Species:
    maackii
    Family:
    Celastraceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Woody
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Seed
    Stem Cutting
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    South East Siberia to China, Korea, and Japan.
    Distribution:
    Throughout south, southeast
    Wildlife Value:
    Birds
    Edibility:
    Although toxicity has not been recorded for this particular species, a number of plants in this genus are poisonous and so caution is advised. Illness results only after eating large quantities of any part of the shrub.
    Dimensions:
    Height: 15 ft. 0 in. - 25 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 15 ft. 0 in. - 25 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Perennial
    Poisonous
    Tree
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Habit/Form:
    Erect
    Rounded
    Growth Rate:
    Medium
    Maintenance:
    Low
    Texture:
    Medium
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    Clay
    Loam (Silt)
    Sand
    Soil pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Alkaline (>8.0)
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    Occasionally Dry
    Available Space To Plant:
    12-24 feet
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Red/Burgundy
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Fall
    Fruit Type:
    Berry
    Capsule
    Fruit Description:
    The capsule holding the berry is pink and seeds are 4 lobed and bright red.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Green
    Orange
    Pink
    White
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Cyme
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Spring
    Flower Petals:
    4-5 petals/rays
    Flower Size:
    < 1 inch
    Flower Description:
    The flower is small and inconspicuous (0.3 of an inch) in yellowish-green, blooming in mid-spring.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Feel:
    Leathery
    Leaf Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
    Brown/Copper
    Gold/Yellow
    Pink
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Opposite
    Leaf Shape:
    Elliptical
    Ovate
    Leaf Margin:
    Crenulate
    Serrate
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Description:
    Leaf is 2 to 4 inches long and spherical in shape. It is a light to medium green and turns color in the fall to pink, yellow, brown, or sometimes red.
  • Bark:
    Bark Description:
    High corky ridges.
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Green
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Cross Section:
    Round
    Stem Description:
    branches and twigs terete, sturdy, green to light green.
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Meadow
    Naturalized Area
    Slope/Bank
    Woodland
    Landscape Theme:
    Drought Tolerant Garden
    Winter Garden
    Design Feature:
    Border
    Hedge
    Mass Planting
    Specimen
    Problems:
    Poisonous to Humans
  • Poisonous to Humans:
    Poison Severity:
    Low
    Poison Symptoms:
    Symptoms include abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, convulsions, weakness, chills, and coma. Ingesting large amounts of any part of the plant is toxic and can result in poisoning. Children may be attracted to fruits in fall. No part of this plant is edible, including seeds.
    Poison Toxic Principle:
    Unidentified, possibly a glycoside
    Causes Contact Dermatitis:
    No
    Poison Part:
    Bark
    Flowers
    Fruits
    Leaves
    Roots