Fortune's euonymus is gaining more and more popularity among gardeners. And this is not surprising, because shrubs with juicy leaves covered with incredible patterns fit perfectly into any landscape. In addition, the plants are quite unpretentious, and even a beginner grower will cope with the care and planting of Fortune's euonymus. The main thing is to adhere to the rules for growing shrubs.
Description
Fortune's euonymus belongs to the euonymus family. This evergreen, creeping shrubber came to us from China and quickly won the hearts of flower growers. And all thanks to frost resistance and non-capricious nature. In addition, the culture grows rapidly and in a short time creates a lush green carpet.
Shrub shoots reach 30-60 cm, but the plant itself grows 3 meters in length. After all, its stems, in contact with the ground, form the accessory roots, with which he “grabs” the surface. They help to "rise" to the spindle tree up the support. Therefore, the plant is often used to decorate buildings.
Popular varieties
Breeders have bred many varieties of Fortune euonymus. And each of them deserves special attention. Consider the most popular varieties:
- Emerald Gold. Compact shrub reaches 30 cm in height. Ellipsoid leaves are painted in emerald color with a golden fringing. In the fall they turn bright pink. The variety is frost-resistant and can withstand, without shelter, a temperature drop of –25 ºC.
- Emerald Gaiety. Compact bush does not exceed 20 cm in height. Leaves are dark green with a white fringing. In the fall they become purple. Frost resistance is average.
- Silver queen. This variety is appreciated for its rapid growth. The height of the euonymus is 20 cm. The unusual color of the leaves gives the plant attractiveness. They have an emerald center and snow-white edging. In the fall, the bush becomes bright pink.
- SunSpot. Shrub reaches 20 cm in height. The leaves are dark green with a bright golden speck in the middle. Winters without shelter in the northern regions.
- Minimus Dwarf variety up to 5 cm high. Green leaves with snow-white veins. Their length does not exceed 1 cm. The plant is frost-resistant, suitable for decorating mixborders and rock gardens.
- Coloratus. The variety grows to 1.5 meters in width, rises well along the support. The leaves of the shrub are painted in dark green, and in the fall they acquire a purple hue.
- Variegatus. Shrub reaches 20-30 cm in height. It has emerald leaves with a snow-white edging. The variety can withstand even low temperatures and is suitable for cultivation in the northern regions.
- Harlequin. Dwarf variety, taking root in shaded areas. The height of the shoots is 40 cm, the width is one meter. The plant has white leaves with pink, yellow and cream splashes.
Each of these varieties will become a decoration of a personal plot. In addition, they can be grown as indoor plants. Fortune's euonymus is unpretentious both at home and in the open ground. And all he needs is periodic watering and top dressing.
Seat selection
Fortune euonymus is a photophilous plant. For him, select the illuminated areas. In the shade, the leaf pattern of the culture fades. But it is desirable that the shrub was protected from midday rays. Therefore, the best place for him will be the eastern or western side of the site.
The plant does not have any special requirements for the soil, the main thing is that the soil is light, fertile and breathable with a neutral or slightly alkaline reaction. And in acidic land, culture will lose its decorative effect and wither away.
The euonymus does not tolerate stagnation of moisture at the roots. And it can not be planted in wetlands or in the lowlands. If you grow a crop near a reservoir, then be sure to do a drainage.
Landing
You can plant a crop in spring and autumn. But experienced gardeners advise the end of April - beginning of May. Then the plant manages to take root before the onset of cold weather and calmly tolerates winter. When growing a spindle tree, remember that the plant is poisonous. Therefore, take care of it only with rubber gloves.
So, how to plant a crop:
- If the soil on the site does not fit the euonymus, then prepare it first. To make the soil light, add sand and peat. Dolomite flour or ash will help alkalize acid soil.
- Dig holes or trenches two times the depth of an earthen coma. Mix the resulting soil with compost or humus. Mineral fertilizer will also be useful.
- Pour a 10-centimeter layer of drainage into the bottom. For these purposes, use broken brick, pebbles or expanded clay. Sprinkle a little soil on top.
- Carefully remove the seedling from the pot, and place it in the pit along with an earthen lump. Make sure that the root neck is level with the ground.
- Fill the voids with soil and tamp.
- Form a watering circle and moisten the ground.
The next day, loosen the topsoil and be sure to mulch the trunk circle with crushed bark, sawdust or compost. At first, protect the shrub from direct sunlight.
Watering
Fortune's euonymus, the photo of which is presented in the article, is a drought-resistant plant, and it needs frequent hydration in the first year after planting. Adult crops have enough rainfall and groundwater. But during the dry season, water the plant once a week.
Moisturize the euonymus under the roots, making sure that moisture does not get on the leaves. Water the plants only with warm, settled water. After each watering or rain, carefully loosen the ground near the bush. But do not “dig” the soil too deep, because the culture has superficial roots.
Top dressing
Apply complex mineral fertilizers twice a year - in May and September. In addition, organics that are worth mixing in mulch will also be useful. But with such fertilizers, it is advisable not to overdo it, because from an excess of nitrogen the plant will lose the diversity of leaves.
Mulching
Sprinkle a layer of mulch regularly around the shrub. Such an agrotechnical technique is useful in care - Fortune euonymus will receive additional nutrition, in addition, you will protect the plant from pests, weeds and fungal diseases. In addition, mulch retains moisture at the roots of the plant. Use crushed bark, dry grass, sawdust or peat for these purposes.
Pruning
To preserve the decorative shrub, be sure to remove all wilted and broken shoots. In addition, the plant tolerates the forming pruning perfectly, it can be given any shape. But carry out a similar procedure in the spring or after fruiting.
Winter preparations
Adult plants calmly tolerate a drop in temperature to -25 ° C. And all they need for wintering is mulching with peat or humus.
But young crops 2-3 years after planting must cover. To do this, use non-woven material, or cover the bushes with a layer of spruce leaves, fallen leaves.
Propagation by layering
Fortune's euonymus itself will take root as it grows. All that is needed is to carefully cut off the shoots with developed roots and transplant them into a new place. But do not forget to process the slice places with “Kornevin” or “Epin”. These drugs will accelerate the rooting of the processes.
If you are growing a crop for vertical gardening, dig small grooves in the tree trunk circle of the bush. After that, select strong shoots, bend them to the recesses and cover them with earth. When the cuttings give roots, cut them from the mother plant and transplant them to a permanent place.
This method of growing is simple, and an inexperienced gardener will also cope with it. But it is suitable only for adult shrubs. You will learn about how to propagate young plants in the next chapter.
Propagation by cuttings
Such a method of reproduction will not cause trouble. Hold an event in the summer. For cuttings, choose young, green shoots 10-12 cm tall with at least one leaf node. Do not forget to prepare the substrate. To do this, mix peat and sand in equal parts.
How to root cuttings:
- Cut the shoots with a sharp knife and remove the bottom pair of leaves. Make the lower cut at an angle of 45 °.
- Put branches in the solution of any growth stimulant for 1-2 hours.
- At the bottom of containers or boxes, pour a layer of drainage and cover it with a substrate.
- Root the cuttings, pour them with warm water from the spray bottle and cover with glass.
- Put the greenhouse in a bright, cool place.
To plants have taken root, do not forget to periodically ventilate and water the seedlings. After 1–1.5 months, when the seedlings get stronger and give roots, plant them in open ground. Be sure to cover the young shrubs for the winter.
Bush division
Using this method, it is customary to propagate dwarf varieties. Start the event in mid-spring. Then the seedlings will grow stronger to frost and calmly wintered. How to share a bush:
- Carefully dig up the mother plant and remove excess soil from the roots.
- Divide the shrub into parts. At the same time, make sure that each of them has strong root processes.
- Treat the cut sites with “Kornevin” or wood ash and plant the seedlings in a new place.
At first, it is desirable to protect plants from direct sunlight. In the future, provide shrubs with normal care.
Fortune’s attractive euonymus will beautify your site. In addition, the cultivation of this shrub does not take much time and effort. Therefore, if you do not know what to plant in the flowerbed, then pay attention to this culture. She will not disappoint you.