Euonymus

About 220 species of shrubs or trees belong to the genus Eonimus, or Euonymus. Some of them are deciduous, others are evergreen. The opposite petiole leaves are almost always smooth. Especially decorative fruits - seed pods. Winged spindle tree (Euonymus alata) is a shrub deciduous resistant species. On the branches there is a characteristic, like wings (hence the name) ribbing of the bark. Oval-lanceolate dark green leaves become bright red in autumn. The purple fruit contains crimson seeds. European euonymus (E. europaea) in Italy is called the "priest's hat", because of the shape of its fruits. It is a shrub frost-hardy deciduous species with lanceolate pointed leaves. Fruits are red seed pods with orange seeds. Decorative especially in the autumn. Fortune's euonymus (E. fortunei), or rooting euonymus (E. radicans), is a frost-resistant evergreen creeping species that is often used as a climbing plant. It has dark green glossy ovoid leaves with a jagged edge. The pinkish fruits contain bright orange seeds. Japanese euonymus (E. japonica) is often used in landscaping, especially its variegated forms. It is a resilient evergreen shrub species with glossy dark green leathery leaves with a finely toothed margin. The fruits are pink and orange. Broad-leaved euonymus (E. latifolia) is a stable deciduous species; ovoid, pointed leaves are characterized by a finely toothed margin. In autumn, they become glossy and red. The fruits are pinkish-red, the seeds enclosed in them are orange.

About 220 species of shrubs or trees belong to the genus Eonimus, or Euonymus. Some of them are deciduous, others are evergreen. The opposite petiole leaves are almost always smooth. Especially decorative fruits - seed pods.

Winged spindle tree (Euonymus alata) is a shrub deciduous resistant species. On the branches there is a characteristic, like wings (hence the name) ribbing of the bark. Oval-lanceolate dark green leaves become bright red in autumn. The purple fruit contains crimson seeds.

European euonymus (E. europaea) in Italy is called the "priest's hat", because of the shape of its fruits. It is a shrub frost-hardy deciduous species with lanceolate pointed leaves. Fruits are red seed pods with orange seeds. Decorative especially in the autumn.

Fortune's euonymus (E. fortunei), or rooting euonymus (E. radicans), is a frost-resistant evergreen creeping species that is often used as a climbing plant. It has dark green glossy ovoid leaves with a jagged edge. The pinkish fruits contain bright orange seeds.

Japanese euonymus (E. japonica) is often used in landscaping, especially its variegated forms. It is a resilient evergreen shrub species with glossy dark green leathery leaves with a finely toothed margin. The fruits are pink and orange.

Broad-leaved euonymus (E. latifolia) is a stable deciduous species; ovoid, pointed leaves are characterized by a finely toothed margin. In autumn, they become glossy and red. The fruits are pinkish-red, the seeds enclosed in them are orange.

Cultivation

Euonymus are grown only outdoors, in the open field or in large flower beds on balconies and terraces. Variegated species and forms are grown in pots. Evergreen species are planted permanently in October in colder climates or in April in warmer climates. The deciduous species are planted in late fall or early spring. Euonymus are used for single and group plantings, for hedges and borders. Withstands city conditions well. They are planted at a distance of 30-40 cm. Organic fertilizers are applied at the rate of 100-500 g or complex mineral fertilizers in an amount of 20-30 g/m2. The soil for planting in pots should be 1/3 peat, 1/3 fertile garden soil, and 1/3 sand or pumice. When planting, complex fertilizers are added at the rate of 20 g per bucket of earth. During the growth period, liquid mineral fertilizer is added to the water for irrigation every 15-30 days at the rate of 10-20 ml per bucket. In spindle trees grown in hedges, the main shoots are pinched in the first year after planting. Euonymus tolerates pruning well. All parts of the spindle tree are poisonous to humans and animals.

Euonymus are grown only outdoors, in the open field or in large flower beds on balconies and terraces. Variegated species and forms are grown in pots. Evergreen species are planted permanently in October in colder climates or in April in warmer climates. The deciduous species are planted in late fall or early spring.

Euonymus are used for single and group plantings, for hedges and borders. Withstands city conditions well. They are planted at a distance of 30-40 cm. Organic fertilizers are applied at the rate of 100-500 g or complex mineral fertilizers in an amount of 20-30 g/m2. The soil for planting in pots should be 1/3 peat, 1/3 fertile garden soil, and 1/3 sand or pumice. When planting, complex fertilizers are added at the rate of 20 g per bucket of earth.

During the growth period, liquid mineral fertilizer is added to the water for irrigation every 15-30 days at the rate of 10-20 ml per bucket. In spindle trees grown in hedges, the main shoots are pinched in the first year after planting. Euonymus tolerates pruning well. All parts of the spindle tree are poisonous to humans and animals.

Location

Euonymus can be planted both in the sun and in partial shade; in general, the plants are light-requiring.

Temperature

The most commonly used species are resistant to both high and low temperatures, with the exception of the less hardy Japanese spindle tree compared to other species.

Watering

Many species are drought tolerant. Watering is required only during periods of prolonged drought, young and potted plants.

Transplant

Produced in spring (once every 1-2 years), based on the overall development of the plant.

Reproduction

Propagated by seeds, in culture - by cuttings, root suckers, layering. It is easily restored by pneumatic growth. Semi-lignified cuttings 10 cm long are taken, which are placed in a mixture of sand and peat, in a closed unheated room. After the formation of the roots, the cuttings are transferred into the pots one at a time, and after 1-2 years they are planted in the final planting site. Under natural conditions, seeds germinate in the 2nd year. The euonymus begins to bear fruit in the 4th-5th year.

Diseases

The widespread honey fungus (Armillaria mellea) provokes the appearance of root rot, from which the plant dies. Affected plants are removed as a breeding ground for infection. Oidium (grape powdery mildew) causes the formation of white powdery spots on the shoots and leaves. The plant is treated with sulfur, caratan or other preparations against powdery mildew. Aphids and worms often harm the euonymus. In this case, the landings are treated with chemical means of protection. Caterpillars eat leaves, they get rid of them with the help of appropriate insecticides.

The widespread honey fungus (Armillaria mellea) provokes the appearance of root rot, from which the plant dies. Affected plants are removed as a breeding ground for infection. Oidium (grape powdery mildew) causes the formation of white powdery spots on the shoots and leaves. The plant is treated with sulfur, caratan or other preparations against powdery mildew.

Aphids and worms often harm the euonymus. In this case, the landings are treated with chemical means of protection. Caterpillars eat leaves, they get rid of them with the help of appropriate insecticides.