James Burghardt
Family
Celastraceae
Botanical Name
EUONYMUS fortunei 'Duncanata Variegated Vegeta'
Plant Common Name
Duncanata Variegated Vegeta Wintercreeper, Wintercreeper
Special Notice
This entry has yet to be reviewed and approved by L2G editors.
General Description
One of the best known and most durable hardy groundcovers, wintercreeper is a trailing, climbing, or shrubby broadleaf evergreen from China. It is densely furnished with oval, glossy green, conspicuously veined leaves that are attractive year-round, sometimes coloring bronze in winter. The leaves of many selections are variegated with ivory, gold, or lime-green markings. Most cultivars grow as creeping groundcovers or self-clinging vines. Shrubby cultivars are also available. Shrubby forms bear clusters of insignificant greenish flowers, followed by pinkish fruits that open to reveal fleshy orange seeds. Birds eat and disseminate the seeds.
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, as a self-clinging climber on outbuildings or trellises, or as a small shrub for foundation plantings, mixed borders, or containers. This vigorous and sometimes aggressive plant 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
1'-6' / 0.3m - 1.8m
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Width
3'-40' / 0.9m - 12.2m
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Bloom Time
Late Spring, Early Summer
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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, Salt, Soil Compaction
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Growth Rate
Fast
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Water Requirements
Average Water
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Habit
Spreading
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Seasonal Interest
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Ornamental Features
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Flower Interest
Insignificant
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Flower Color
Yellow Green
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Fruit Color
Orange, Pink
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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, Dark Green
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Foliage Color (Winter)
Green, Dark Green
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Bark Color
Green, Brown
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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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Flower Petal Number
Single
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Repeat Bloomer
No
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Showy Fruit
Yes
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Edible Fruit
No
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Showy Foliage
Yes
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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
Special Characteristics
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Bark Texture
Corky
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Usage
Container, Edging, Foundation, Groundcover, Hedges, Mixed Border, Vine
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Sharp or Has Thorns
No
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Invasive
Sometimes
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Self-Sowing
Yes
