Fortune's Spindle
Euonymus fortunei
Also listed as Cassine fortunei, Elaeodendron fortunei
Also known as Wintercreeper, Fortune's Euonymus, Winter Creeper Euonymus
Climate Match for your location
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A hardy, evergreen shrub valued for its small, glossy foliage and low, spreading habit. Often used as groundcover or in borders, it tolerates poor conditions and requires minimal maintenance.
Why grow it
Fortune's spindle offers reliable evergreen cover in settings where many alternatives struggle, particularly in poor soils and shaded areas. Its low, spreading growth makes it useful for erosion control on slopes or as a dense groundcover requiring minimal pruning compared to higher-maintenance border shrubs. The cultivated variegated forms provide foliage interest year-round without the seasonal dormancy of deciduous groundcovers.
Watch out for
In regions with consistent moisture and mild winters, this plant can spread beyond intended planting areas through self-rooting stems. Regular monitoring and occasional trimming help contain it within garden boundaries. Foliage may develop chlorosis in extremely alkaline soils despite the plant's general soil tolerance.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Celastraceae
Native Range
Eastern Asia
Seasonality
Season of Interest
Shrub
Woody multi-stem plants at eye level.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Flood Tolerance
Deer Resistance
Inferred from USDA browse palatability
pH Range
Soil Texture
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Propagation
A hardy, evergreen shrub valued for its small, glossy foliage and low, spreading habit. Often used as groundcover or in borders, it tolerates poor conditions and requires minimal maintenance.
Climate Match for your location
See how well Fortune's Spindle grows in your area.
Enter your ZIP code and we'll show you how this plant fits your local climate.
Why grow it
Fortune's spindle offers reliable evergreen cover in settings where many alternatives struggle, particularly in poor soils and shaded areas. Its low, spreading growth makes it useful for erosion control on slopes or as a dense groundcover requiring minimal pruning compared to higher-maintenance border shrubs. The cultivated variegated forms provide foliage interest year-round without the seasonal dormancy of deciduous groundcovers.
Watch out for
In regions with consistent moisture and mild winters, this plant can spread beyond intended planting areas through self-rooting stems. Regular monitoring and occasional trimming help contain it within garden boundaries. Foliage may develop chlorosis in extremely alkaline soils despite the plant's general soil tolerance.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Celastraceae
Native Range
Eastern Asia
Seasonality
Season of Interest
Shrub
Woody multi-stem plants at eye level.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Flood Tolerance
Deer Resistance
Inferred from USDA browse palatability
pH Range
Soil Texture
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Propagation
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