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In the wild, Fortune’s euonymus is a short, creeping plant no higher than 30 cm. The historical homeland of the shrub is China. In Europe, it is grown relatively recently. Due to frost resistance and the ability not to drop leaves in the autumn, Fortuna is used in landscape design.
Description of Fortune’s euonymus
Euonymus fortunei in Latin Euonymus fortunei (beckoning beauty), became the basis for breeding work to develop new plant varieties. They are widely used in the design of sites, recreation areas, city squares and parks. The low-growing shrub attracted the attention of botanists with the exotic color of the leaves, the decorativeness of the bush and the ability to preserve the crown for the entire winter period.
A distinctive feature of Fortune is the unusual color of the foliage, which depends on the plant variety and season. There are evergreen species without changing color in autumn. Others drastically change color. A common shade of the crown is emerald green with yellow patches along the leaf or dark green with silvery fragments. The leaves, elongated up to 5 cm in length, are closely spaced along the stem; visually, the shrub has a lush shape without gaps.
Poisonous plant or not Fortune’s euonymus
By autumn, the plant has fruits with a high concentration of toxic substances. Berries poisonous in food are not used. Breeding varieties of shrubs rarely bear fruit. Fortune blooms profusely in the wild, inconspicuous greenish flowers. The formation of inflorescences on a creeping plant is found in regions with a warm climate. Therefore, only half of the euonymus can be considered poisonous. The juice of the plant is non-toxic, it practically does not bloom, there are no inflorescences and fruits. In general, Fortune’s euonymus (Euonymus fortunei) is safe.
Height of Fortune’s euonymus
In the southern latitudes, Fortune’s euonymus of a breeding species grows up to 60 cm, in the natural environment – 30 cm. Lateral shoots can reach up to 3 m, regardless of the shrub variety. Nodular formations form along the stem, they become the basis for root growth. If you put a support near Fortune’s euonymus and direct the growth of lateral shoots, the plant will rush up. With this technique, various forms are created on the site.
Winter hardiness of Fortune’s beresklet
On the territory of the Federation, the range of the species is the Far East, the European part of Our Country, Southern latitudes. Thanks to the ability:
- withstand temperatures down to -25 °C;
- unpretentiousness in care;
- tolerate drought, without constant watering.
Fortune’s euonymus is able to grow almost throughout Our Country, except for regions with risky farming. The plant is in demand among professional designers, the shrub is not popular with gardeners, it is treated as an amateur exotic.
Fortune’s euonymus in landscape design
Fortune’s euonymus decorative trees and shrubs are used by designers in the design of the territory. A ground cover plant is well suited:
- For landscaping city parks, alleys, squares.
- Like imitation lawns.
- Creating a hedge.
- Border designations.
On the site, with the right location, you can create a fantastic picture of bizarre shapes. Euonymus densely spreads along the ground, does not allow the growth of weeds. This feature is used in the design of the base of the flower bed. When solving the problem of creating a border between zones, Fortune with colorful leaf coloring will be a godsend for designers and gardeners.
An evergreen shrub in early spring will give the garden a neat look, as a background accent in a composition with plants of different flowering periods. Visually emphasize the uniqueness of the palette. A shrub is used in almost all styles. It is included in the composition of flowers and low-growing trees. Planted as a group of different varieties or as a single plant. Areas of application of the euonymus:
- alpine slides;
- framing wooden benches along the alley;
- around the gazebo;
- artificial reservoirs on a personal plot;
- outline the paths and the parameter of the fountain.
Medium-sized euonymus shrubs are placed in order to form a bosquet (woods), using the method of artistic haircuts, they create silhouettes of animals, castles, compositions for any flight of fancy.
Shrubs planted in parallel create a sense of solemnity and order. Fortune during the period of violent vegetation of flower crops is an auxiliary background, in late autumn and winter the main one. Fortune’s euonymus is especially popular in the Moscow region in summer cottages and territories of country houses.
Varieties of Fortune’s euonymus
Forchun’s euonymus has more than 150 species, some of them are used to decorate the territory as a ground cover option, others in the form of vertical gardening methods. The most popular varieties in design, which can often be found in recreation areas, city flower beds, private areas.
Fortune’s Euonymus Emerald Gold
Forchun’s euonymus “Emerald gold” (golden emerald) is a low-growing shrub up to 40 cm, used in vertical gardening, capable of climbing up to 2 m. The vegetation of the variety is long, the euonymus reaches its end point of growth 5 years after planting. The Emerald gold variety is a frost-resistant plant without additional shelter of the root system easily tolerates low temperatures (-23 ° C).
External description:
- leaves of medium size, in the form of an elongated oval with a pointed end;
- the structure is rigid, the surface is glossy, the sheet is slightly carved along the edge;
- the color is two-tone, the dominant tone is bright yellow with light green fragments in the middle;
- by autumn, the color changes to dark red with a brown tint, the surface color is plain;
- branches rigid, medium thickness, intensively leafy;
- in southern latitudes it blooms with inconspicuous green flowers;
- fruits of bright red color, rounded shape.
Euonymus Fortune Emerald Haiti
Fortune’s euonymus “Emerald gaiety” is one of the most popular varieties. Widespread in temperate regions. The most frost-resistant type of euonymus. Unlike other species, it does not stop growing in shaded areas on the north side. The evergreen shrub does not shed foliage for the winter, it only changes their palette.
A low-growing plant of Fortuna, not higher than 30 cm, forms densely growing shoots of 1,5 m with intense foliage. The crown is lush, rounded, without gaps.
Designers are attracted by the decorativeness of Fortune’s crown:
- sheet size 3 cm;
- elliptical shape;
- the surface is painted in a bright green color along the edge with a white border, this combination gives the euonymus a neat, elegant look;
- the color changes by winter, the leaves acquire a plain pink color;
- the stems are thin, flexible when in contact with the ground, they take root well.
Looks harmoniously in combination with flower crops. Borders, edges of rabatkas, voids in a flower bed are decorated with euonymus. Used in design as a groundcover.
Beresclet Fortune Harlequin
Euonymus (Euonymus fortunei Harlequin) is a dwarf variety, one of the smallest of the species. In height more than 25 cm does not grow. In the design of the territory plays the role of the first plan. Full owner of city flower beds, parks, recreation areas. Ideal for disguising the unaesthetic appearance of urban communications.
Fortuna is formed by a large number of thin herbaceous shoots, abundantly leafy. Bright green, oval leaves give a decorative look to the plant, on the surface with fragments of speck of white, beige, yellow tones. By autumn, the leaves become a light pink color.
In the south, the plant blooms with waxy inflorescences in the form of a green or beige ball. Fruits are bright red. The plant does not tolerate excess ultraviolet radiation; in an area open to the sun, leaf burns are possible. Not suitable for growing in temperate climates. Euonymus “Harlequin” is not frost-resistant.
Euonymus Fortune Silver Queen
The variety of euonymus Silver Queen (Silver Queen) is used in the design of the territory as a creeping shrub and in the form of a vine-like plant. One of the few representatives of the species, in which shoots grow up to 45 cm during the seasonal growing season. The bush does not stop growing in the shade and in the sun. Does not require special care. Unpretentious to temperature changes, frost-resistant, tolerates drought well. Distribution area European part of Our Country. Silver Queen selection variety 70 cm high.
External description of the variety Euonymus Fortuna “Silver Queen”:
- the plant does not drop leaves;
- the crown is dense, spherical;
- easily climbs the trellis;
- light pink stems, strong, elastic;
- leaves are oval, slightly elongated, painted in rich green with a pronounced white border around the edge;
- the surface of the leaves is glossy, waxy, hard.
In autumn, the bush turns dark red. This variety practically does not bloom and does not produce fruits. It is used in design in the form of a hedge, to form a bosquet, reservoirs.
Beresclet Fortune Sunspot
Euonymus Sunspot “Sunny Bunny” is a low-growing creeping plant 25 cm high. Shoots are about 1,2 m. Small leaves on the shoots are densely arranged, forming a lush spherical crown. The variety grows quickly (30 cm per year), frost-resistant, does not require lighting. A shaded place does not affect the decorativeness of the shrub.
Leaves 2,5 cm with a dark green color with a bright yellow spot at the base, similar to a sun glare. Grown in the Far East, in Siberia for the design of the first plan of flower beds. Harmoniously combined with tall shrubs, flowering crops. It is used for framing fountains, borders, alpine slides.
Euonymus Fortune Coloratus
The undersized variety Coloratus is recognized as the best for growing in the shade of trees. In the sun and without it, the plant feels equally comfortable. Forms a plurality of shoots, which at a height of half a meter create a continuous covering of the crown. Easily climb a tree trunk or a specially installed support. This variety of euonymus can reach 5 m in height. Gives the appearance of a green continuous cascade.
Leaves of a monochromatic light green color scheme, up to 5 cm in diameter, with an opposite arrangement on the stem. In landscape design, euonymus is used for a green accent in rockeries among stones, a suitable variety for hedges, ridges, rock gardens.
Planting and caring for Fortune’s euonymus
Euonymus is planted in early spring or autumn. For temperate climates, late planting is not recommended, the plant does not have enough time for rooting. Most varieties tolerate low temperatures safely; a young bush planted in autumn with a weak root system may die. It is better to plant the plant in a pot and place it indoors, transfer it to a permanent place in the spring.
Rules for planting Fortune’s euonymus
The plant has a shallow root system that does not require a significant deepening of the planting hole. Its size corresponds to the size of the root of a young plant, it must be completely located in the hole, at least 10 cm to the edge. Planting algorithm.
- Drainage (pebbles, small stones) is laid at the bottom of a pre-prepared pit.
- Soddy soil is mixed with compost and river sand.
- A seedling is placed vertically, covered with soil, taking into account that the root neck remains above the surface.
- The root circle is mulched with humus, sawdust, peat.
Planting work is carried out in April or late September.
Watering and top dressing
Fortune’s euonymus is a drought-resistant plant, for a certain time it can do without watering. Moisture deficiency will not cause the death of the plant, but the vegetation will slow down. If it rains heavily three times a month in summer, additional irrigation is not required for the shrub.
Euonymus is watered immediately after placement on the site. In the dry season, the plant is watered as the soil dries. If sawdust was used as mulch, the moisture of the root circle will last longer.
So that the plant does not lose its decorative appearance, and the color of the crown is bright, fertilization is recommended. The first top dressing is done in April with organic matter, at the end of August with phosphorus-potassium preparations.
How and when to prune Fortune’s euonymus
They form the crown of a shrub in early spring and late autumn, when sap flow stops. At the beginning of the growing season, dry fragments are cut off, the desired shape is given to the euonymus. The shrub does not grow quickly, but at the end of the season the shape is broken by protruding shoots, it is recommended to cut them. Euonymus well tolerates cardinal pruning at the root. If the root system is not damaged, the plant will give friendly shoots in the spring.
Fortune’s spindle transplant
Place the plant on the site according to the varietal characteristics. Planting and subsequent care of Fortune’s “Emerald Gold” euonymus is carried out only in a well-lit area, the plant is not tolerant of ultraviolet deficiency. Soils suitable for all types of shrubs are neutral, slightly acidic, with sufficient nitrogen content, fertile. Most of the popular varieties are planted in the shade, for example, planting and caring for Fortune’s Emerald Haiti euonymus is recommended in the shade of trees or the wall of a building.
Planting material is purchased in the distribution network or obtained from the parent plant. If it is necessary to transfer an adult plant to another place, choose a time in the spring, when the soil has warmed up enough, sap flow has not begun.
Preparation for wintering
Almost all varieties of Fortune tolerate frost well. Special measures to cover the plant are not required. In case of freezing, the root quickly recovers. In late autumn, it is enough to cover the euonymus with fallen leaves, in winter with snow.
Reproduction of Fortune’s euonymus
Creeping species are bred in several ways:
- division of the bush;
- seeds;
- cuttings:
- layering.
Gardeners choose the best way for themselves.
Propagation of Fortune’s euonymus by cuttings
Planting material is harvested in summer from green non-woody shoots. Cut cuttings 10 cm in size, planted in a container with fertile soil, previously treated with a root growth stimulator. From above, a cap is made of polyethylene, cleaned in a shaded place. After 30 days, Fortune will give roots. The cuttings are transplanted to the wintering place, in the spring to the site.
Seeds
Before laying the seeds, they are treated with a 5% solution of potassium permanganate. Sown in soddy soil mixed with river sand. After three months, shoots will appear, they dive into separate containers. They are in this state for 30 days, then they are placed in a certain place on the site. Sowing seeds is carried out at the end of January. You can plant the seeds directly into the ground in the spring, by the autumn they will sprout, for the winter the young shoots are covered in a mini-greenhouse.
By dividing the bush
This is the most efficient way to breed euonymus. An adult plant is dug up. Divide the root system into the required number of parts. Each lobe has a growing point, a root and several young shoots. Spread out over the area.
Layers
The creeping euonymus in the wild reproduces by layering. When in contact with the soil, adventitious roots take root on young shoots. They are separated from the main bush and seated on the site. You can propagate Fortune’s euonymus yourself. For this, an annual shoot is added dropwise, it gives roots, is divided, planted in a permanent place.
Diseases and pests
Breeding varieties of Forchun’s euonymus inherited from a wild plant a stable immunity against all types of garden pests. At high humidity and low air temperature, Fortuna is affected by a fungal infection, powdery mildew. The disease is manifested by a gray coating on the leaves. If the plant is not treated with fungicides (Bordeaux liquid), the foxes dry and fall off. The shrub takes on an unaesthetic appearance. So that the euonymus does not die, watering is reduced, nitrogen fertilizer is applied, and damaged fragments are cut off.
Conclusion
Fortune’s euonymus is a low-growing creeping shrub, numbering several hundred species that differ in crown color. An ornamental plant is grown for the purpose of landscape design. Euonymus is unpretentious in care, tolerates low temperatures well, undemanding to lighting and watering.
