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Euonymus fortunei ‘Coloratus’ (Purple Wintercreeper)

Purple Wintercreeper 'Coloratus', Spindle 'Coloratus', Purple Leaf Wintercreeper 'Coloratus', Euonymus fortunei var. radicans, Euonymus radicans, Euonymus japonicus var. acutus, Euonymus japonicus var. chinensis, Euonymus japonicus var. radicans

Euonymus Fortunei 'Coloratus', Wintercreeper 'Coloratus', Spindle 'Coloratus', Purple Leaf Wintercreeper 'Coloratus', Japanese Euonymus, evergreen shrubs

Extremely hardy, Euonymus fortunei ‘Coloratus’ (Purple Wintercreeper) is an evergreen, trailing vine that quickly forms a dense, weed-smothering ground cover. It features shiny, ovate to elliptic, dark green leaves, up to 2 in. long (5 cm), which turn reddish-purple in fall and winter. A few tiny, inconspicuous, greenish flowers are produced in early summer. One of the most popular evergreen ground covers, it is also useful for erosion control on slopes and can be trained as a climbing vine, growing to 20 ft. (6 m) or more.

  • Grows up to 12-15 in. tall (30-37 cm) with a spread of 24-36 in. (60-90 cm). Wintercreeper spreads both by creeping stems which root where they touch the ground, and by animal or water dispersed seeds. Euonymus fortunei has been reported to be invasive in natural areas in most of the states in the eastern half of the U.S.
  • A full sun to full shade lover, this plant is easily grown in average, medium moisture, well-drained soils. Grow in full sun if your soil is moisture retentive. Tolerates a wide range of soils excluding boggy and wet soils.
  • Watch for Euonymus scale, anthracnose, crown gall, leaf spot, mildew and aphids.
  • All parts may cause severe discomfort if ingested.
  • Euonymus fortunei species is native to China, Japan, and Korea.
  • Find where Euonymus fortunei species is invasive in the United States.
  • Discover beautiful U.S. native plant alternatives.

Requirements

Hardiness 4 - 10
Heat Zones 2 - 9
Climate Zones 2, 2B, 3, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17
Plant Type Climbers, Perennials, Shrubs
Plant Family Celastraceae
Genus Euonymus
Common names Wintercreeper, Gaiety, Winter Creeper
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun, Shade
Season of Interest Spring (Early, Mid, Late)
Summer (Early, Mid, Late)
Fall
Winter
Height 1' - 2'
(30cm - 60cm)
Spread 2' - 3'
(60cm - 90cm)
Spacing 36" (90cm)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Average
Soil Type Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained
Characteristics Showy, Evergreen
Tolerance Full Shade
Garden Uses Banks And Slopes, Ground Covers
Garden Styles Gravel and Rock Garden
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Alternative Plants to Consider

Euonymus americanus (American Strawberry Bush)
Euonymus fortunei (Wintercreeper)
Euonymus japonicus ‘Silver King’ (Japanese Spindle)
Euonymus japonicus ‘Microphyllus Aureovariegatus’ (Japanese Spindle)
Euonymus fortunei ‘Canadale Gold’ (Wintercreeper)
Euonymus fortunei ‘Emerald Gaiety’ (Wintercreeper)

Recommended Companion Plants

Cornus alba ‘Sibirica’ (Tatarian Dogwood)
Erica carnea ‘December Red’ (Winter Heath)
Matteuccia struthiopteris (Ostrich Fern)
Galanthus ‘Atkinsii’ (Snowdrop)

Find In One of Our Guides or Gardens

Native Plant Alternatives to Euonymus alatus (Burning Bush)
Native Plant Alternatives to Euonymus fortunei (Wintercreeper)
Attractive Deciduous Shrubs and Trees with Red Fruits and Berries
Attractive Shrubs and Trees with Orange Fruits and Berries
While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.
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Requirements

Hardiness 4 - 10
Heat Zones 2 - 9
Climate Zones 2, 2B, 3, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17
Plant Type Climbers, Perennials, Shrubs
Plant Family Celastraceae
Genus Euonymus
Common names Wintercreeper, Gaiety, Winter Creeper
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun, Shade
Season of Interest Spring (Early, Mid, Late)
Summer (Early, Mid, Late)
Fall
Winter
Height 1' - 2'
(30cm - 60cm)
Spread 2' - 3'
(60cm - 90cm)
Spacing 36" (90cm)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Average
Soil Type Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained
Characteristics Showy, Evergreen
Tolerance Full Shade
Garden Uses Banks And Slopes, Ground Covers
Garden Styles Gravel and Rock Garden
How Many Plants
Do I Need?
Explore Great Plant Combination Ideas
Euonymus
Guides with
Euonymus
Not sure which Euonymus to pick?
Compare Now

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