Euonymus: planting and care, reproduction, medicinal properties

Planting and caring for euonymus is very simple. Due to this and its high decorative qualities, the crop is widely used in landscaping. The plants are flexible; they are used to create traditional borders, hedges, ground carpets, and flexible vines of creeping species are lifted onto supports.

Description and most common types of euonymus

Euonymus (Euonymus) is a genus of deciduous and evergreen shrubs or trees belonging to the genus Euonymus (Celastraceae). They are often used in landscape design, rarely as an indoor or winter garden plant. There are more than 200 species, 20 of which grow in natural conditions in Russia.

Externally, euonymuses are very different from each other.But they all have inconspicuous small greenish flowers that have no decorative value and small, simple oval-shaped leaves. The bright, leathery seed shoots that burst after the seeds ripen look attractive. Depending on the type, they can be yellow, pink, or all shades of red.

Interesting! Euonymus is used to make fusin - charcoal for drawing.

Species used as ornamental plants can be divided into two groups.

Important! Almost all euonymus are poisonous.

Deciduous euonymus

They are quite large shrubs and trees, reaching 3 m or more with age without pruning. Euonymuses do not reach such a height quickly, since they grow slowly and live for a long time. They are grown mainly for their attractive bright fruits and colorful leaves in the fall.

The most famous deciduous species:

European or Bruslina reaches 5 m, grown for its attractive pericarp and large (up to 7 cm) elegant leaves, gradually changing color in autumn from green to red, purple or brownish-burgundy;
Winged – a dense shrub up to 1.8 m high with a dome-shaped crown, orange-red pericarp and large (up to 6 cm) leaves that acquire a carmine color in autumn;
Warty is a slow-growing shrub up to 1.5 m high with red or orange-pink pericarps and leaves, painted pink, red-pink in autumn;
Maaka – a bush or tree up to 10 m tall with pink or dark red pericarps, lanceolate or elongated oval serrated leaves up to 9 cm long, changing color from green to all shades of pink and purple in autumn;
Maksimovich - a large shrub or tree up to 7 m, winter-hardy, with large green elliptical leaves, turning pinkish in autumn, carmine-colored pericarps on long stalks.

Comment! Bruslina has the most varieties among deciduous euonymus.

Evergreen Euonymus

Unlike deciduous plants, evergreen species do not change color in the fall. They are shrubs that creep or reach a maximum height of 1.5 m. They are grown as a hedge, ground cover or even as a vine. The leaves of evergreen species are much smaller than those of deciduous euonymus and may have a uniform color. But variegated varieties with yellow or white stripes are more valued.

The most popular evergreen species:

Winged or Fortune – creeping shrub 30-60 cm high with vines up to 3 m, easily rooted and able to cling to supports, oval leathery leaves about 2.5 cm long, variegated, sometimes monochromatic in color;
Japanese, which is a shrub that, even under the most favorable conditions, does not grow higher than 150 cm, with leaves larger than those of the previous species, usually monochromatic, but there are variegated forms;
Dwarf – a semi-evergreen shrub, growing up to 30-100 cm, with linear dark green leaves up to 4 cm in size, easily grafted onto the European euonymus; a weeping form can be created on the trunk.

Many varieties have been developed that differ in leaf size and color. They bloom sparingly, rarely, and even the pericarp has no decorative value.

Where does euonymus grow?

It is difficult to find a plant more undemanding to growing conditions than euonymus.Most species take root on any soil, but prefer neutral or slightly alkaline soil. Evergreen euonymus tolerates shade well and may burn a little under the bright midday sun. Deciduous species, especially Maaka, place increased demands on lighting.

Important! Plants with variegated leaves need more sun than those with green leaves.

Euonymus does not like stagnant water. It is better to plant it where there is a lack of watering than in a constantly damp area.

The plant tolerates low temperatures well and can be planted everywhere except the Far North. Even the most heat-loving Japanese euonymus, which according to reference books should withstand -5-10⁰ C, in practice grows without shelter at -20⁰ C. Cold wind is more dangerous for the plant than low temperatures, so the planting site must be protected.

Important! All euonymuses tolerate urban conditions and planting near sources of air pollution - factories, railways, highways.

Medicinal properties of euonymus

Before being treated with euonymus, you should clearly remember that the plant is poisonous; you cannot simply make a decoction or tincture - this is dangerous to health and life. You should consult a doctor or experienced herbalist. The pharmaceutical industry does not use euonymus for the manufacture of medicines, but the folk industry uses it carefully and in small doses.

All parts of the plant are medicinal:

wood contains pectin, glucose, sucrose, tannins, organic acids, vitamin C, steroids;
the bark is rich in anthraglycosides, which have laxative properties, fatty acids, and carbohydrates;
the leaves contain vitamin C, alkaloids, flavonoids;
seeds contain carbohydrates, fatty oils and acids, vitamin C.

Water and alcohol infusions and decoctions of euonymus are taken orally and applied as lotions for a number of diseases:

nervous disorders;
severe headaches;
constipation;
hypertension;
hepatitis;
vomiting;
decreased potency;
from parasites and worms.

Important! Since the plant is poisonous, you cannot create recipes on your own and use them without consulting an experienced herbalist.

Why is euonymus dangerous?

Decoctions and infusions can cause serious harm to health with a simple overdose. They contain gutta and highly toxic cardenolides, which cause strong contractions of the heart muscle. Exceeding the dose may cause:

vomiting;
nausea;
inflammation of the small intestine;
slowing or increasing heart rate.

You should strictly not take products containing euonymus:

children under 18 years of age;
pregnant women;
nursing mothers;
hypotensive patients;
cores.

Important! Euonymus does not have magical healing properties; it is better to replace it with another useful, but not poisonous, plant.

How to plant euonymus

Planting and caring for euonymus in open ground is very simple. The plant will not tolerate only constantly soaking acidic soils. Some species do not feel comfortable in the bright sun and may burn.

Landing dates

In temperate and cold climates, euonymus is planted in the spring, when the soil thaws and warms up a little. In the south - in the fall, no later than a month before the onset of stable frosts. Then the seedling will take root well.

Comment! Container plants can be planted at any time. But for residents of regions with hot climates, it is better not to carry out excavation work in the summer.

Landing rules

On chernozems, loose, fertile soils that are not prone to soaking, the euonymus can simply be planted in a hole, the size of which will allow the root to be freely positioned, and watered abundantly. Lime or dolomite flour must be added to acidic soil; dense soil is improved with sand and organic matter. If the soil is prone to soaking, drainage is provided for the plant from a 15-20 cm layer of broken red brick, gravel, crushed stone or expanded clay.

The hole is made one and a half times larger than the size of the root. Humus and a handful of complex fertilizers are added to each. A seedling is placed in the center of the hole, the roots are straightened, covered with soil, and watered abundantly.

In flower beds, ridges and landscape groups, you need to take into account the size of an adult plant. When planting a hedge from euonymus, it is convenient not to dig each hole separately, but to make a shallow ditch.

At first, the plant needs abundant watering and protection from the sun. The soil is mulched with peat or humus.

Euonymus care

Even in Siberia, planting and caring for euonymus does not present any particular difficulties. This is a very simple crop that can be safely planted in areas where owners do not visit regularly.

Watering and fertilizing

The plant tolerates drought well; it is specially watered rarely, but abundantly. Even in summer, euonymus is moistened from time to time.

If the soil was filled with fertilizers during planting, the plant is no longer fed for three years. It is also not necessary to do them in the future. It is advisable to add nitrogen in the spring after the snow melts, which will help the plant quickly recover and grow green mass. In autumn, phosphorus-potassium fertilizer is given at the root; it will increase frost resistance, which is especially important in the Urals.There, planting and caring for euonymus becomes more difficult due to changeable weather.

How to prune euonymus

All euonymuses, evergreen and deciduous, tolerate heavy pruning. Although many species develop slowly, they quickly grow new branches, and plants require practically no time to recover after cutting.

Any pruning or pinching causes increased branching. Euonymus already forms fairly dense bushes or trees, and this will increase their decorative value. It is best to trim in May, cutting out frozen, broken, dry branches and shortening shoots. Plants planted in hedges are re-pruned in late summer or early autumn.

Deciduous species are usually pruned after fruiting. Ground cover (creeping) euonymus, planted in the foreground and growing quite quickly, can be cut even in summer if necessary.

Comment! You can learn how to prune shrubs from cultivation - the leaves will quickly grow and hide all the flaws.

Old shoots of ground cover forms are cut out so that they do not spoil the appearance of the plant.

How to form an euonymus

The crown of the euonymus (except for the creeping one) is trimmed in the form of an umbrella, cone, or ellipse. It is better to stick to the natural form, only improving it. Ground cover species are trimmed so that they fit into the landscape concept. They can be formed with a thick carpet, candles, even a vine if raised on a support.

You can even make a topiary from the plant if you start trimming the tree or bush from an early age. To create a weeping standard, the dwarf euonymus is grafted onto the European one.

Covering the euonymus for the winter

In fact, euonymus is quite resistant to frost. Plant shoots suffer more from winter sun and weathering.Often, upward-pointing stems of Fortune varieties freeze. In the spring they are simply cut off.

Even in the northern regions, euonymus is covered with spruce branches or spandbond for the winter only for the first three years after planting. Mature plants can withstand frost well.

Important! Evergreen variegated varieties are less winter-hardy than monochromatic varieties.

How euonymus blooms

Euonymus flowers are small, inconspicuous, up to 1 cm in diameter, greenish, collected in 4-5 pieces. They open in late May or early June and look good against the beautiful dark green leaves.

Flowers rarely appear on evergreen euonymus. In deciduous trees and shrubs, the ovaries are usually numerous, their pericarps, opening, resemble wings and are colored yellow, orange, and all shades of pink, red, crimson, and purple.

As you can see in the photo, euonymus in the fall, even after the leaves have fallen, look very decorative.

How to propagate euonymus

Euonymus takes root well and is easy to propagate vegetatively.

Reproduction of euonymus by seeds

This is the most difficult way to propagate euonymus. It is used mainly for deciduous species, since flowering, and especially the formation of seeds, can be expected from evergreen plants for years.

Planting material is collected when the boll has already begun to crack. The seeds are cleaned and immediately planted in the ground. If you leave them until spring, you will have to stratify and soak for 4-6 months, or wait a year for germination.

The seeds are planted to a depth of 1.5-2 cm, covered with film or glass and kept at room temperature, ventilating daily and checking the soil moisture. When 4-6 true leaves appear, the plants dive.They are planted in a permanent place after 3 years.

How to propagate euonymus by cuttings

From a bush or tree at least 5 years old, green cuttings are cut into pieces of 6-8 cm in the first half of summer. They should contain 1-2 internodes. The lower cut is treated with a growth stimulator and planted in fertile, loose soil, filled with 3-4 cm of sand.

Keep in a cool place with good lighting. After 1.5-2 months, the cuttings will take root and can be planted in the ground.

Reproduction by dividing the bush

This method is more suitable for dwarf varieties and small indoor shrubs. It is difficult to dig up an adult plant from open ground in order to divide it into parts and plant it back. In addition, you will have to cut off up to 70% of the length of all stems, and this will lead to the loss of the decorative effect of large specimens. It may take years to reach the previous size.

But the divisions are planted immediately in a permanent place.

Root suckers

The shoots are planted in early spring, when the soil thaws. A piece of root at least 20 cm long with a shoot is placed immediately in a permanent place, trying not to disturb the earthen lump. If the height of a young plant exceeds half a meter, it is shortened.

Reproduction by layering

Fortune's euonymus and other ground cover species are easily propagated by layering. Long lashes can take root on their own, simply by coming into contact with the soil. To get more plants, the shoot is bent, fixed with a bracket, sprinkled with earth, leaving the top free.

Rooting occurs quickly, but it is better to wait until next spring before separating the young creeping euonymus from the mother plant. Planting and care are carried out in the same way as for an ordinary seedling.

Why doesn't euonymus turn red?

Evergreens should not turn red. But deciduous species are often grown just to admire the riot of colors for 1-2 weeks at the end of the season. Maybe not for long, but the garden is being transformed. Every day the color of the plants gradually changes until it becomes rich purple, pink, and red.

But some gardeners complain that autumn has come, and deciduous species have turned brown. This can happen for the following reasons:

Bad light. In order for the leaves to become brightly colored, the plants must receive enough sunlight.
Excess fertilizer. The euonymus is “fed up” and is not going to change the color of the leaves, they will simply dry out and fall off.

So, in order for the leaves to acquire a bright color in the fall, the plant needs sunlight and poor soil.

Diseases and pests of euonymus

Euonymus is affected by diseases and pests more often than many gardeners who grow them think. It’s just that variegated forms have become most popular, and on them all problems appear only when they enter an advanced stage. And this can be fraught with the loss of a valuable plant.

The most common diseases of euonymus:

powdery mildew – a fungal disease, the external sign of which is a white coating on the leaves;
viral mosaic – first, yellow spots appear on the vegetative organs, then the area near the veins becomes lighter, the leaves become deformed;
spotting – spots caused by a fungal disease appear on the leaves, then convex dots or pads with spores;
necrosis – damage to the bark by fungal diseases, in which it can first change color, then crack, and entire colonies of spores form under it, which eventually appear on the surface.

To treat the plant, spray it three times with fungicides at intervals of 14-20 days. As a preventative measure, euonymus trees should be regularly inspected, diseased and dry branches should be trimmed in a timely manner, and fallen leaves should be removed or processed.

Euonymus is affected by pests:

scale insects (coccids) - sedentary insects about 2 mm long, cling to the leaves and shoots of the plant throughout the growing season, look like convex sticks, it is extremely difficult to fight them;
aphid affects young shoots, sucking juices from them, usually spread by ants;
spider mite hides on the underside of the leaves, covering them with a thin web and causing them to fall off when severely damaged;
caterpillars of the euonymus moth chew the leaves of the plant;
weevils in early spring they eat the edges of leaves;
ermine moth, whose caterpillars entwine leaves with cobwebs and eat them, leaving the veins intact;
caterpillars of the euonymus moth affects the fruits.

Most euonymus pests, unlike diseases, are rare and usually do not cause significant harm to the plant. You still need to get rid of them using appropriate insecticides.

Conclusion

Planting and caring for euonymus is not at all difficult. It is important here to trim the plant in time, not to overwater the plant, and to limit fertilizing for deciduous species. Unpretentious euonymus tolerates urban conditions well, decorates the garden in summer, and delights the eye with green or red leaves in autumn.