How to Grow and Care for 'Emerald Gaiety' Wintercreeper

'Emerald Gaiety' is a cultivar of a broadleaf evergreen shrub called wintercreeper euonymus. 'Emerald Gaiety' is a tough plant that forms a mounding shape with sprawling, upright branches, small red berries, and blue-green leaves with white margins that grow variegated in partial shade.The leaves might take on a tinge of pink in the fall and winter.This plant does best in some shade, slightly acidic and well-drained soil, and adapts to a range of temperature and humidity. Like most plants in the Euonymus genus, 'Emerald Gaiety' is toxic to humans and animals.

Emerald Gaiety Wintercreeper Care

Here are the basic care requirements for growing this shrub.

• Grow in full sun to partial shade for best variegation.
• Water young plants but cut back substantially when shrubs mature.
• Remove long self-rooting stems before they touch the ground to control this shrub's growth.​
• Provide support for vines and prepare to train the branches and tie them up with twine or tape.

Warning

'Emerald Gaiety' belongs to theChinese staff-tree family, and it can be invasive in the eastern United States.

Light

Variegated forms of euonymus such as 'Emerald Gaiety' prefer partial sun to partial shade conditions.

Soil

This plant prefers average, well-drained soil and tolerates a wide range of soil pH that is somewhat alkaline. It does not do well in wet soil.

Water

Euonymus plants need plenty of water as they are establishing, but once mature, they have a good tolerance for drought conditions. A brief rainfall or watering every few weeks is all that's required for mature plants.

Temperature and Humidity

All forms of Euonymus fortunei have a good tolerance for all temperature and humidity variations found throughout their hardiness range. Ice can sometimes cause damage in winter, but the plants easily recover.

Fertilizer

'Emerald Gaiety' generally thrives without any feeding at all. Applying fertilizer in the fall over the root zone in poor soil might increase the plant's vigor.

Types of Wintercreeper

Consider these cultivars of Euonymus fortunei whichhave many of the same virtues as 'Emerald Gaiety' wintercreeper:

• E. fortunei 'Emerald 'n' Gold': This cultivar grows 1 to 2 feet tall with a 2 to 4-foot spread and has green leaves edged in yellow.
• Euonymusfortunei'Colorado': This groundcover grows to only 9 inches tall with a spread of 1 to 2 feet. The solid green leaves turn purple in the fall.
  

Pruning

Remove stems that revert to all-green leaves. To shape this plant, do so immediately after the plant blooms in late spring. Keep long stems trimmed if you want to grow 'Emerald Gaiety' as a screen or informal hedge.

Propagating 'Emerald Gaiety' Wintercreeper

'Emerald Gaiety' is easily propagated with semi-hardwood cuttings. Here's how:

1. In late summer or early fall, take an 8- to 12-inch-long cutting with leaves and a portion of hardwood stem. Cut just below a growth node.
2. Cut the stem into 3 to 4-inch lengths and pull the leaves off the lower half of each segment.
3. Embed the end of each cutting into a seedling container containing a moistened mixture of peat moss and coarse sand or perlite.
4. Cover the pot with a plastic bag to create a mini-greenhouse, and place it in a spot with bright, indirect light. Periodically remove the pot and check for root growth by probing the soil with a knife.
5. When the roots are about 1 inch long (which generally takes about six to eight weeks) remove the pot from the plastic bag and continue growing in bright direct light.
6. Keep the soil lightly moistened through the winter.
7. Plant the specimen in the garden the next spring when the danger of frost has passed.

Overwintering

As an evergreen, this shrub holds some potential for visual interest in winter. But if you live in a region that can receive heavy snowfalls, you will want to train it to grow up a trellis or another type of support to raise it above snow level.

Common Pests & Plant Diseases

Euonymus plants are highly susceptible to scale insects. Treatment takes place only when the scale insect eggs hatch in April and May into first instar nymphs called crawlers. A second generation of crawlers is produced from late July through August. Spraying crawlers with organic insecticidal soap, like neem oil, is often effective in controlling scale insect infestations.

This shrub is prone to fungal issues, such as powdery mildew, leaf spot, scab, and anthracnose. This plant can also contract the soil-inhabiting bacteria that causes crown gall. Prune out, rake up, and destroy all affected parts of the plant. Properly discard the debris to stop the spread.

Common Problems With 'Emerald Gaiety' Wintercreeper

'Emerald Gaiety' is an adaptable plant that tolerates drought and urban pollution. Though this wintercreeper is as tough as nails, stay on the lookout for these issues.

Solid Green Leaves

As with any variegated shrub, diligently watch for new branches with solid green leaves and no sign of variegation. These shoots should be pruned off as soon they appear. Otherwise, the entire plant can revert to all-green foliage and lose its distinctive creamy white variegation.

Invasive Behavior

'Emerald Gaiety' euonymus' main challenge is to control its spread. It's recommended against using this plant in landscaping due to its invasive behavior. Control the plant by removing offshoots from branches that touch the ground and root themselves. Also, remove any shoots spreading out from the root ball.

Spots on Leaves

If you see spots on leaves, it is likely a fungal disease. Powdery mildew shows up as flat white and gray spots along with yellowing leaves. Cercospora leaf spot and anthracnose have irregular brown spots. Scab presents as small raised orangey, waxy spots.

Yellowing Leaves, Branches Dying Back

Crown gall may cause yellowing leaves and dying branches because the disease prevents the plant from receiving water and nutrients. Look for rounded and rough growths and prune with sterilized sheers. The bacteria may remain in the soil for a few years.

From: thespruce