Euonymus shrubs are widely admired for their versatility. Whether you seek evergreen ground cover or vibrant fall colors, these plants excel in any setting.
These shrubs are among the most colorful options for your garden. Some of the deciduous types are especially prized for their striking foliage and fruit displays during autumn.
Commonly known as burning bush, these shrubs are excellent for creating privacy. The deciduous types often showcase brilliant colors in the fall, and while their summer flowers are modest, they yield bright fruits that outshine the blooms.
Typically growing between 6-12ft tall, these plants serve as impressive garden specimens or medium-height informal hedges. However, certain varieties can be invasive.
Most evergreen euonymus belong to two main species: the taller Japanese euonymus, Euonymus japonicus, and the shorter, darker-leaved wintercreeper, Euonymus fortunei. Both have produced a variety of attractive cultivars that are incredibly useful in landscaping.
Some of these varieties work well as ground cover, while others can serve as low hedges, often acting as substitutes for boxwood.
Ten Best Euonymus Varieties
These adaptable shrubs respond well to pruning, whether for creating formal hedges or to enhance their shape. Deciduous varieties, on the other hand, thrive when left unpruned to showcase their natural form.
Here's our selection of top euonymus varieties for various garden styles.
Euonymus alatus
Type: Deciduous
Best For: Low hedges, small garden specimens
Hardiness: USDA Z4
Height: 15-20ft
This variety features distinctive corky stems adorned with vibrant green leaves that transform into a striking crimson in the fall, accompanied by red and orange fruits. Be cautious, as it can be invasive in the eastern regions. A compact form, 'Compactus', grows to about 3-4ft.
Purchase burning bush shrubs through Walmart.
Euonymus europaeus 'Red Cascade'
Type: Deciduous
Best For: Specimen planting, wildlife, can be shaped into a small tree
Hardiness: USDA Z4
Height: 8-10ft
This stunning European spindle tree is covered in bright scarlet and orange fruit, complemented by its vibrant red foliage in the fall. It fruits more consistently than many other varieties.
Euonymus fortunei Blondy ('Interbolwi')
Type: Evergreen
Best For: Mixed borders, containers, foundation planting
Hardiness: USDA Z5
Height: 15-24in
With bright green leaves featuring a prominent central mark, this variety is quite popular, though it may produce plain green shoots that should be pruned away.
Euonymus fortunei 'Coloratus'
Type: Evergreen
Best For: Climbing or trailing
Hardiness: USDA Z5
Height: 6-20ft
This variety features green foliage that turns a rich purple during winter, particularly in less fertile soils, before reverting to green in spring. A great climber that achieves impressive heights over time.
Euonymus fortunei 'Emerald Gaiety'
Type: Evergreen
Best For: Small all-year specimens
Hardiness: USDA Z5
Height: 3-4ft
A compact, rounded plant with dark green leaves that have a white margin, which takes on a pink hue during winter, especially in drier soils. This variety climbs slowly against walls.
Order the Emerald Gaiety variety from Nature Hills.
Euonymus fortunei 'Emerald and Gold'
Type: Evergreen
Best For: Containers, small all-year specimens
Hardiness: USDA Z5
Height: 2-3ft
These rich dark leaves are adorned with bright gold edges that can turn cream-colored and occasionally pink in winter. Mature plants may bear pink-and-orange fruits.
The Emerald and Gold shrub can be found at Walmart.
Euonymus fortunei 'Kewensis'
Type: Evergreen
Best For: Ground cover, climbing
Hardiness: USDA Z5
Height: 2-18in
This sprawling variety features small, dark leaves with silver veins, creating a lovely carpet effect and eventually forming a spiky appearance. It's one of the best climbing options.
Euonymus fortunei 'Silver Queen'
Type: Evergreen
Best For: Mixed borders, containers, foundation planting
Hardiness: USDA Z5
Height: 16-24in
This reliable variety features neat, compact leaves that start yellow, transitioning to green with a white edge. It's one of the best variegated shrubs and produces fruit well.
Euonymus fortunei 'Wolong Ghost'
Type: Evergreen
Best For: Ground cover, containers, covering tree stumps
Hardiness: USDA Z5
Height: 6-12in
This variety forms a low mat of intertwined stems with delicate, narrow leaves that have a striking white midrib and veins.
Euonymus japonicus 'Chollipo'
Type: Evergreen
Best For: Specimen planting, hedging, screens, foundation planting, topiary, large containers
Hardiness: USDA Z5
Height: 8-15ft
This striking, fast-growing shrub features dark green leaves with bold yellow margins, providing year-round interest.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the advantages of euonymus?
These shrubs are resilient and require little maintenance. They thrive in various soils, including chalky types, as long as they aren't waterlogged or overly dry. They come in both evergreen and deciduous varieties, with many displaying attractive fruits. Some can even climb and cling to structures similarly to ivies.
Are euonymus invasive?
While some euonymus species are native to North America, others can be quite invasive. Euonymus alatus is particularly concerning due to its vigorous growth and prolific seed production, often sprouting in surrounding areas and creating dense thickets. This species can thrive in diverse habitats, including coastal regions, making it a problem primarily in the eastern United States from Ontario to Georgia. It's advisable to avoid planting this species in such areas. Check with local extension services for guidance.
Besides providing privacy, euonymus shrubs also excel in topiary.
