Euonymus fortunei 'Kewensis'
Wintercreeper
Garden origin; species native to China, Korea, and Japan
Overview
Euonymus fortunei 'Kewensis' is a dwarf evergreen with trailing, wiry stems that hug the ground and root where they touch soil, forming a mat 2-4 inches (5-10 cm) tall and spreading 18-36 inches (45-90 cm) over several years. Against a wall the stems can climb 12-24 inches (30-60 cm) using rootlets. Leaves are 0.25-0.5 inch (6-12 mm) long, much smaller than the 1-2 inch (2.5-5 cm) leaves of the species, dark green with pale veins. Growth is slow, extending 2-4 inches (5-10 cm) per year. Flowers are rare and inconspicuous, greenish-white, and seldom produced on this cultivar. The slender stems can become congested and benefit from occasional thinning. Foliage may bronze or brown at the edges in hard winter wind and full winter sun. The species Euonymus fortunei is listed as invasive in parts of the eastern United States, and the mat-forming, rooting habit allows this cultivar to spread.
Native Range
A cultivar of Euonymus fortunei, a species native to China, Korea, and Japan, where it grows in forests and on slopes. The cultivar originated in cultivation.Suggested Uses
Grown as a small-scale evergreen groundcover, edging, and in rock gardens, spaced 12-18 inches (30-45 cm) apart. Also trained against low walls, where the rooting stems climb 12-24 inches (30-60 cm). The rooting, mat-forming habit can spread beyond intended areas and is contained away from woodland in regions where Euonymus fortunei is invasive.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height2" - 4"
Width/Spread1'6" - 3'
Bloom Information
Flowering is rare on this cultivar. When it occurs, small greenish-white flowers appear in early summer, but plants grown as groundcover seldom bloom. Fruit is correspondingly rarely seen.
Detailed Descriptions
Foliage Description
Dark green with pale veinsGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 2-8 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Grows in full sun to full shade in most well-drained soils, tolerating a wide pH range and dry conditions once established. Watering through the first season aids rooting; established plants are drought-tolerant. Little supplemental feeding is needed. Euonymus scale is the main pest and can build up on congested stems, showing as white or brown specks on stems and leaf undersides. Crown gall and powdery mildew occur occasionally. The mat can root widely, so containment may be needed near natural areas.Pruning
Trim stems during the growing season to control spread and remove congested or scale-infested growth. Shearing in spring encourages dense, low cover. Rooted runners can be cut and lifted to limit spread.Pruning Schedule
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
late springsummer
Container Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 1 gallons