Maintenance Landscaping Design

Euonymus varieties is a plant that is native to the eastern United States. It is a member of the family Celastraceae, which includes about 170 species of shrubs and small trees. The leaves of euonymus varieties are opposite, and the stems are often square in cross-section. The flowers are small and greenish-white, and the fruit is a capsule that splits open to release the seeds.

Alternative name

• Burning bush
  
• Spindle tree
  
• Strawberry bush
  
• Wahoo
  
• Wintercreeper

Basic info

• Euonymus are a large family of plants that come in many different shapes and sizes.
  
• They are native to many parts of the world including Europe, Asia, and North America.
  
• Euonymus are often used as ornamental plants in gardens and parks.
  
• Some species of Euonymus can be invasive.
  
• Euonymus are generally low maintenance plants.
  
• They can tolerate a wide range of growing conditions.
  
• Euonymus are typically pest and disease free.
  
• Flowers of most Euonymus species are not showy.
  
• The fruit of many Euonymus species is attractive to birds.
  
• Euonymus are generally considered to be easy to grow.

Related plant:
Euonymus Japonicus Aureus

Planting Process

1. For euonymus varieties, first step is to select a planting site that receives full sun to partial shade.
   
2. The soil should be well-drained and of average fertility.
   
3. Amend the soil with organic matter such as compost or manure prior to planting.
   
4. Euonymus varieties are typically propagated by rooting semi-ripe cuttings taken from late summer to early fall.
   
5. Take 4 to 6 inch cuttings from the tips of the stems, making sure each cutting has at least 2 to 3 sets of leaves.
   
6. Remove the bottom leaves and dip the cuttings in rooting hormone.
   
7. Plant the cuttings in a well-drained potting mix.
   
8. Provide bottom heat if possible, and keep the soil moist but not wet.
   
9. The cuttings should root within 4 to 6 weeks.
   
10. Once rooted, transplant the euonymus varieties into the garden or containers.

Related plant:
Euonymus Compactus

Considering the Soil

About soil condition, well-drained soil is necessary, and euonymus do not like to stay wet feet for long periods. It is best to plant them in soil that is on the acidic side. If the soil is too alkaline, it will cause the leaves to yellow. One way to determine if the soil is too alkaline is to get a soil test kit from your local garden center.

Light requirement

Not too different with other plants, euonymus varieties need sunlight to grow. However, some types of euonymus can tolerate shade better than others. If you're looking for an euonymus to grow in a shady spot, try a variety like ' Emerald Gaiety ' or ' Emerald 'n' Gold.' These plants are also low-maintenance, making them ideal for busy gardeners.

Ideal Temperature

The temperature conditions that are best for euonymus varieties are those that are cool and moist. They should be kept in a location where they will not be subject to too much heat or direct sunlight.

Ideal Humidity

Ideal humidity condition for this plant is 50%. They cannot tolerate too much moisture or too little moisture. If the humidity is too low, the leaves will start to turn brown and crisp. If the humidity is too high, the leaves will start to yellow and drop off.

Fertilizer Requirement

Discussing fertilizer, usually the plant food is applied to the soil around the base of the euonymus to provide nutrition to the roots. The amount and type of fertilizer you use will depend on the variety of euonymus you have and the stage of growth. A general rule of thumb is to apply 1/2 pound of 10-10-10 fertilizer per plant yearly.

Light requirement

Pruning euonymus is a important part of keeping these plants healthy and under control. Depending on the variety, euonymus can be a very aggressive grower, so regular pruning is essential to prevent them from taking over your garden. There are a few different ways to prune euonymus, so it's important to choose the right method for the plant and the situation.

Plant Propagation

Propagation of euonymus is best done by rooting stem cuttings taken from new growth in late spring or early summer. Cuttings should be 4 to 6 inches long and should be taken from healthy, non-flowering stems. Cuttings can be rooted in perlite, sand, or vermiculite. Be sure to keep the cuttings moist and in a humid environment until they have rooted.

Growth Rate

Usually, the plant growth rate is fast when they are young. Once they reach maturity, their growth rate slows down significantly. Even though their growth rate slows, they can still grow to be quite large. Some of the larger varieties can grow up to 30 feet tall!

The Problems

Common problems for this kind of plant are powdery mildew, leaf spot, and root rot. Powdery mildew is a white, powdery fungus that appears on the leaves and stems of the plant. Leaf spot is a dark brown or black spot that appears on the leaves of the plant. Root rot is a brown or black rot that affects the roots of the plant.

Basics of Growing

• Make sure to plant your euonymus in an area that receives full sun to partial shade.
  
• Euonymus requires well-drained soil, so make sure to plant it in a location that does not stay wet or soggy.
  
• Amend the soil with compost or other organic matter prior to planting.
  
• Space plants 3 to 4 feet apart to allow for proper air circulation.
  
• When watering euonymus, be sure to give the plant a deep watering to encourage deep rooting.
  
• Prune euonymus plants in late winter or early spring to shape and control growth.
  
• Fertilize euonymus plants in early spring with a balanced fertilizer.
  
• Euonymus are generally pest and disease resistant, but scale insects can be a problem. Watch for signs of infestation and treat accordingly.
  
• Mulch around euonymus plants

Related Plants

• Buxus microphylla
  
• Chaenomeles speciosa
  
• Chinese holly
  
• Euonymus alatus
  
• Euonymus europaeus
  
• Euonymus japonicus
  
• Euonymus fortunei
  
• Euonymus kiautschovicus
  
• Euonymus oxyphyllus
  
• Euonymus sieboldianus

Source:
Euonymus Scale | University of Maryland Extension - UMD
Euonymus scale - Integrated Pest Management
Euonymus Scale – Wisconsin Horticulture