Content
- 1 Description of European euonymus
- 2 European euonymus in landscape design
- 3 Varieties of European euonymus
- 4 European euonymus: poisonous or not
- 5 Planting and caring for European euonymus in the Moscow region
- 6 European euonymus fruits
- 7 Reproduction of European euonymus
- 8 Diseases and pests
- 9 Reviews of European euonymus
- 10 Conclusion
The photo and description of the European euonymus must be studied to understand its features. This plant, beloved by many gardeners, is quite unpretentious and widespread in many regions of Russia. Following simple care rules will ensure a decorative appearance of the bush from autumn until winter.
Description of European euonymus
European euonymus (in Latin “Euonymus europaeus”) is a deciduous shrub or tree, found growing wild in Western Europe, Russia (in the European part), the Caucasus and Crimea. It can reach a height of 6 m. Young shoots of European euonymus are colored green, and with age they become almost black, and small growths appear on them.
The leaves are dark green, about 10 cm in length, ovoid in shape.In autumn, European euonymus turns various shades of red. The plant blooms for about a month, and during this time it does not look very impressive. Half-umbrella inflorescences include about 5 buds of white, slightly greenish, color. The shrub has a dense crown, but it is most beautiful in the fall - first because of the bright foliage, then because of the interesting shape and color of the fruits.
European euonymus in landscape design
Ornamental trees and shrubs of European euonymus are actively used in landscape design. They are planted singly or in groups. The plant is often used to make a hedge - it tolerates pruning well to give it shape.
Varieties of European euonymus
European euonymus is represented by several varieties that differ in appearance. Each gardener can choose exactly the plant that is most suitable for his site.
European euonymus Sherwood
It is a shrub up to 5 m in height, having a compact crown and actively forming shoots. Young shoots are rich green, tetrahedral in shape. The leaves resemble an oval, leathery, about 11 cm in size. At first the bush is green, but then it turns red-pink. Flowering begins at the end of May and lasts almost three weeks. The Sherwood euonymus has its most decorative appearance during the period of fruit ripening - in September. It is covered with bright pink capsules, which, when opened, reveal a cascade of seeds with orange-colored apexes. This is how the bush looks almost all winter.
Sherwood euonymus grows well in fertile soils with a loose structure. Can tolerate light shade, although prefers sunlit areas.The plant is winter-hardy and drought-resistant, so it feels great in the middle zone. It grows intensively and tolerates pruning well.
European euonymus Red Cascade
A tall shrub, the size of which in adulthood reaches 3.5 m. Sometimes the European euonymus Red Cascade looks like a small tree. The leaves are usually green in summer and turn purplish-red in autumn. Orange fruits also give European euonymus Red cascade a decorative appearance. The plant tolerates replanting and trimming normally. This variety is able to survive in urban environments and is resistant to gas and smoke. Often used as a hedge. Perfectly complements the tree and shrub composition.
European euonymus Red cascade is shown in the photo:
At a young age, the euonymus bush is straight, and then acquires a rounder and wider shape. Flowering occurs at the end of May - beginning of June. The fruits are red or pink and turn orange when ripe. They hang on the bush much longer than the leaves. Euonymus loves the sun, but can also grow in partial shade. Lives well even on acidic soils, but prefers an even distribution of moisture.
Tolerates winter well in central climates. The root system is branched and located close to the surface, so the bush is sensitive to soil compaction and mechanical damage.
European euonymus: poisonous or not
The berries of the European euonymus are poisonous, but to become poisoned, a person must eat large quantities of them. The plant is widely used in folk medicine - mainly its bark, foliage and seeds are used.Euonymus has a laxative, insecticidal, antimicrobial, antiparasitic, anthelmintic, expectorant and diuretic effect.
The seeds are used for cardiovascular failure, which is due to their digitalis-like properties. The leaves can be used externally to treat skin affected by fungi. If you suffer from a dry cough, then a decoction of euonymus will help, but when consumed in large doses, it causes poisoning. In folk medicine, infusions are also used to treat migraines, constipation, bronchitis, hepatitis, and dysbacteriosis. Powder made from euonymus has an antiparasitic effect and is used for skin diseases.
The leaves contain the glycoside evonimin, the triglyceride triacetin (which increases blood pressure), and alkaloids. The roots and bark of the plant contain high-molecular hydrocarbon gutta-percha, which is released as hardening juice. The seeds contain fatty oil.
Planting and caring for European euonymus in the Moscow region
European euonymus is a fairly unpretentious plant to care for. He feels great in the climate of the Moscow region. If you follow certain rules in growing, the shrub will decorate the area and will not cause problems.
Rules for planting European euonymus
It is better to purchase euonymus seedlings from specialized nurseries, this will guarantee that the plant is healthy and of the desired variety. The shrub is capable of self-pollination, but fruit setting will be much more effective if it is not alone on the site.
Almost any soil is suitable, but the plant feels best in well-drained soil with an alkaline reaction. The more lighting there is, the brighter the foliage of the shrub will be colored in the fall.
Planting is usually done in the fall, but can also be done in the spring. It is worth digging a larger hole, in accordance with the size of the root system of the seedling. The bottom needs drainage: coarse sand or pebbles. A mixture of soil for planting is prepared from turf soil, peat and sand. Peat is taken in two parts, the remaining components one at a time. It is also recommended to add lime or dolomite flour. Mineral fertilizers are applied if the soil is poor in nutrients.
At the bottom of the pit, make a hill and spread the roots of a European euonymus seedling over it. Then they are sprinkled with the prepared soil mixture. The planted bush must be watered. After compacting the soil, the root collar should remain at ground level.
Watering and fertilizing
In the first week after planting, watering should be frequent. Further, the bush needs a large amount of water only during dry periods in the summer. If there is excess moisture in the soil, the roots of the plant may begin to rot. After rain or watering, the soil around the trunk should be loosened and sprinkled with peat mulch.
The bush should be fertilized in spring and autumn with mineral compounds. It is also worth periodically adding ash or lime to the soil near the trunk - this reduces the acidity of the soil.
Trimming
The crown of the plant is formed in the fall at the stage of mature fruits or in early spring. After pruning, the bush forms many young shoots.
The top of the shoots is pinched so that the bush grows in the desired direction. During sanitary pruning, weak and damaged branches are removed.
Is it possible to replant European euonymus?
Young seedlings are moved to a permanent place in the 3rd year. This is done in the spring in calm weather, when the soil has warmed up.Transplanting euonymus cannot be combined with pruning. It is better not to touch bushes that are more than 7 years old. Such plants do not tolerate transplantation well. If the need arises, the bush is dug up in the spring with a large lump of earth and carefully moved to a new place. The plant must be watered regularly until the leaves bloom.
Preparing for winter
Until the euonymus is 3 years old, it needs to be covered for the winter; then the plant does not need this. It will be enough to mulch the soil with leaves or sawdust. Even if the ends of the shoots are damaged by frost, they just need to be cut off in the spring and the bush will quickly regain its strength.
Why does European euonymus not turn red?
Euonymus is famous for its colorful fall foliage. Many people start it on the site precisely because of this feature. But it happens that the leaves turn only a little red or do not turn red at all. This happens because the growing conditions are violated: the bush is planted in the shade or the soil composition is not suitable. In an open, sunny location, the plant will have foliage in bright, rich colors.
European euonymus fruits
The fruit is located on a long peduncle and is a 4-lobed capsule. When ripe, it droops and turns a rich pink color. At the end of September-October, the fruit opens and seeds appear on thin threads.
Sometimes summer residents complain that European euonymus does not bear fruit. This can happen due to the lack of pollinators or when flowers are damaged by spring frosts.
Reproduction of European euonymus
European euonymus can be propagated in different ways:
- Seeds. This is the most difficult and time-consuming method.Stratification will be needed, carried out in two stages: first, the seeds are kept for 3 months at a temperature of about +10 °C, and then at a temperature of +3 °C. European euonymus should be sown with seeds in a substrate of leaf soil, sand, humus and turf. Young seedlings are protected from frost until they become stronger.
- Cuttings. In July, green shoots are cut into 6 cm cuttings. They are placed in fertile soil mixed with sand, and there they will take root within 45 days.
- By layering. In spring, low-growing shoots are placed in the soil in a specially dug ditch. The branch itself should be sprinkled with earth and secured in this position, and the top should be left in the air. Roots will soon appear.
- Root shoots. Offsprings whose height has reached 40 cm are suitable for these purposes. They must be separated from the mother plant in the spring.
- Dividing the bush. This method is good for low-growing varieties. Divide with a shovel.
Diseases and pests
The bush is usually attacked by:
- spider mites;
- aphid;
- mealybugs;
- apple moth;
- hawthorn;
- scale insects;
- caterpillars.
You can get rid of pests using insecticidal drugs such as Actellik or Aktara. Fito-verm or Confidor will help against mealybugs.
The most common diseases affecting euonymus:
- Trunk rot - This is a fungus, with a serious infection, you can lose the entire bush. The plant is dug up and burned. Treatment with Bordeaux mixture in the spring will help.
- Powdery mildew – the disease is quite common and can be treated quite well. Use the drugs Fundazol or colloidal sulfur.
Reviews of European euonymus
Conclusion
Photos and descriptions of European euonymus indicate that this plant is not dangerous, does not require complex care and will decorate any area. The colorful foliage shrub is also used in urban landscaping due to its hardiness.
