James H. Schutte
Family
Celastraceae
Botanical Name
EUONYMUS fortunei 'Coloratus'
Plant Common Name
Purpleleaf Wintercreeper, Wintercreeper
General Description
One of the best known and most durable broadleaf evergreens, wintercreeper is a hardy groundcover or shrub from China. The trailing stems of the cultivar 'Coloratus' spread to form dense mats of oval, glossy green, conspicuously veined leaves that turn purple-red in late autumn and winter. Stems can also climb via rootlike holdfasts. Like most trailing forms of wintercreeper, 'Coloratus' doesn't flower or fruit.
This shade-loving ornamental does well in most conditions except for damp soils. In colder climates it may suffer winter burn if exposed to bright sun and wind. Use it as a ground cover beneath trees or in other shady sites.
Wintercreeper is listed as an invasive exotic throughout much of the eastern United States and Canada. It is susceptible to euonymus scale.
Characteristics
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AHS Heat Zone
9 - 2
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USDA Hardiness Zone
5 - 9
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Sunset Zone
2b, 3a, 3b, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17
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Plant Type
Broadleaf Evergreen
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Sun Exposure
Full Sun, Partial Sun, Partial Shade, Full Shade
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Height
6"-24" / 15.2cm - 61.0cm
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Width
2'-10' / 0.6m - 3.0m
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Native To
China
Growing Conditions
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Soil pH
Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline
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Soil Drainage
Average
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Soil type
Clay, Loam, Sand
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Tolerances
Pollution, Drought, Soil Compaction
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Growth Rate
Very Fast
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Water Requirements
Average Water
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Habit
Prostrate/Trailing
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Seasonal Interest
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Ornamental Features
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Flower Interest
None
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Foliage Color (Spring)
Green, Dark Green
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Foliage Color (Summer)
Green, Dark Green
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Foliage Color (Fall)
Green, Purple, Burgundy
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Foliage Color (Winter)
Purple, Burgundy
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Bark Color
Green, Brown, Gray
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Fragrant Flowers
No
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Fragrant Fruit
No
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Fragrant Foliage
No
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Bark or Stem Fragrant
No
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Repeat Bloomer
No
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Showy Fruit
No
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Edible Fruit
No
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Showy Foliage
No
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Foliage Texture
Medium
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Foliage Sheen
Glossy
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Evergreen
Yes
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Showy Bark
No
