Gardeners undeservedly forget about Euonymus-a picturesque plant that can transform any HOMESTEAD. The advantage of this unpretentious culture is that it does not lose its appeal throughout the season. And by the autumn, when the rest of the garden is immersed in a dull tone, decorative Euonymus only increases.
Plant description
Euonymus belongs to a separate genus in the Celastraceae family, comprising about 200 species of deciduous and evergreen shrubs and trees of different heights (from 1.5 to 10 m). The habitat of wild Euonymus is mixed and deciduous forests of temperate and subtropical latitudes.
Forms of cultural Euonymus variety – from short creeping shrubs to stately spreading trees. Shoots can be circular, rectangular or unusual cross-section, and often decorated with fancy cork growths.
Simple opposite-spaced Euonymus leaves stand out with a smooth shiny surface. Depending on the type and variety, they can have a classic green or spectacular mottled color. In the autumn months, many varieties are transformed beyond recognition — their leaves are colored in purple, scarlet, bronze and yellow tones.
During this period, Euonymus add decorative and ripening fruits – four-part seed boxes, which are painted in yellow, pink, Burgundy or dark purple hue. However, it is worth remembering that these beautiful berries are poisonous, like all other parts of the plant, so you do not need to taste them.
The fruits of Euonymus are so spectacular color and bizarre shape that many take them for flowers. But the real flowers of this plant, appearing on the branches in may or June, are of no interest. They are small and nondescript, collected in small thyroid inflorescences and also exude an unpleasant aroma.
Landscape designers have long appreciated this wonderful culture and widely use it to decorate city alleys and squares. Euonymus is planted as spectacular tapeworms, and they are indispensable for creating hedges.
But summer residents for some reason are in no hurry to get acquainted with this plant. Perhaps, it is such an exotic outfit suggestive of the extraordinary demands for care. But this is a fundamentally wrong opinion.
Euonymus planted on the dacha, will enjoy not only a stunning decorative effect, but also an enviable simplicity. In addition, many species have good winter hardiness.
Cultivation
Euonymus is better to plant in the spring, although autumn planting is also acceptable. This plant tolerates a slight shading, but variegated varieties better choose a Sunny area: in this place their leaves will have a more expressive color. It is not necessary to plant it on a site with closely located groundwater and in the valley.
This culture will appreciate the active growth on the loose fertile soil with a neutral or slightly alkaline reaction. Therefore, at the bottom of the landing pit size of at least 60×60 cm spread first gravel for drainage, and then fill it with a mixture of fertile soil and humus. On acidic soils additionally make 1.5-2 cups of lime.
Landing
Seedling Euonymus planted at the same level at which he grew up before. Compacted around the soil, abundantly watered and mulch the soil in the barrel circle. In order for the plant to take root well, within 7-10 days after planting, it is necessary to monitor the constant moisture of the soil.
Today, Euonymus seedlings are represented in a large assortment in almost all garden nurseries. And if you have an adult plant in mind, you can multiply it yourself: freshly harvested seeds, layering, green cuttings or division of the Bush (for stunted species).
Watering and feeding
Euonymus does not need large amounts of water, so watering is carried out as necessary — when drying earthen coma. In seasons with regular rainfall from watering is better to give up, as waterlogged soil has a bad effect on the development of its root system.
During the season, this culture is fed three times. For the first time it is done in the spring with nitrogen-containing fertilizers, in the summer give any complex mineral preparation, and in the autumn it is necessary to focus on phosphorus and potassium. In addition, every autumn it makes sense to make a plant humus or compost at the rate of 2/3 buckets per m² of its barrel circle.
Clipping
When caring for this plant, special importance should be given to the annual forming pruning, which will add decorative plant. Do not be afraid to shorten the branches of Euonymus – he loves to “cut” and after such a procedure begins to branch actively.
The crown of Euonymus can be given any shape – spherical, conical or elliptical. This event is best done in late autumn or early spring, and in the summer to limit the pinching of the tops of shoots and cutting out damaged branches.
Wintering
Adult specimens of many Euonymus tolerate unpredictable winters well, so they do not require additional shelter. And in the case of a young plant that has not yet reached the age of three, it is better to be safe and before the onset of stable frost insulate its root system.
Diseases and pests
In conditions of high humidity, this culture can be affected by powdery mildew. When signs of the disease appear, the plants should be sprayed 3-4 times with a solution of a suitable fungicide with an interval of 7-10 days.
But such a fungal disease as the rot of the trunk, sometimes affecting the Euonymus, will be difficult to cure. In this case, the protection will serve as preventive spraying in spring and autumn with a solution of copper-containing drug.
In addition to the many advantages of Euonymus has one drawback that some gardeners may seem significant — it is very fond of pests. To protect against them, it is better to use broad-spectrum insecticides.
Types and varieties
Among the great variety of species Euonymus each summer resident will be able to choose a plant that best fits into its individual garden landscape and transform its elegant attire the entire surrounding area. Some species of Euonymus attract attention with their natural beauty, other breeders have worked and created a number of cultural varieties – variegated and undersized.
You should definitely highlight Euonymus verrucosa. An important feature of this erect deciduous shrub up to 1.5-2 m — densely covering shoots, as well as the smell of inflorescences. By the fall of its seed pods turn pink and the green leaves turn pink-red tones.
Widespread Euonymus europaea. This deciduous species can be a sprawling shrub up to 2 m high or a tree up to 5 m high.
In the autumn of its leaves begins to “burn” – painted in bright purple tones and creates a unique effect in a dull, pale garden. Add “special effects” and fruits-pink-red boxes. Euonymus europaea will appreciate the simplicity of maintenance and shade tolerance.
Will not leave anyone indifferent evergreen Euonymus japonicus, growing at home from 2 to 8 m in height. Glossy surface and leathery texture of the leaves and wonderful pink seed pods of this kind have prompted breeders to create on its basis a variety of low-growing varieties.
For example, the variety ‘Microphyllus’ up to 50 cm looks yellow and green patterns of its leaves, and undersized variety ‘Silver King’ decorated with dark green leaves with a wide white border. It is worth noting that this Asian has low frost resistance and therefore better takes root in the southern regions of the country, and in the middle lane requires careful shelter for the winter.
Undoubtedly, it deserves attention Euonymus fortunei-a native of China, successfully grown more than a hundred years and in our country. This low (20-40 cm) evergreen shrub with creeping shoots perfectly adapted to our weather conditions and was appreciated by breeders who brought on its basis a variety of varieties.
A very attractive dwarf cultivar ‘Emerald Gaiety’ height to 30 cm, Its leaves have a rich green color and contrasting white trim, and in autumn are painted in purple tones.
No less beautiful variegated variety ‘Emerald’ n ‘Gold”, reaching a height of 50 cm and decorated with bright leaves lemon yellow and green colors at the same time.
We should also say about the amazing variety ‘Harlequin’. Its young shoots and leaves are completely painted white and have only small green specks. Over time, the foliage acquires a traditional green color, and the white color on it remains in the form of a spectacular frame.
Very interesting Euonymus alatus-large deciduous shrub up to 4 m. this species stands out for its amazing structure of shoots, having on the bark of flat longitudinal growths, like wings. This handsome man looks especially impressive in autumn, when he dresses in purple and scarlet tones.
Euonymus maackii is very popular. The height of the shrub or tree of this species varies from 2 to 8 m. in the Fall its large foliage lights up in purple and scarlet colors, and seed pods have a delightful bright pink shade.
There are many other varieties of this culture – all can not be counted. Combines their high decorative foliage and bizarre shape of bright fruits.
This amazing plant undoubtedly deserves special attention from gardeners. After all, it is rare that a decorative culture can simultaneously boast of such a spectacular outfit and unpretentiousness in care.