Red Euonymus

2024 Author: Gavin MacAdam | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 13:38

Red euonymus (lat. Euonymus miniata) - ornamental shrub; species of the genus Euonymus of the family Euonymus. In nature, it can be found only on the Kuril Islands and Sakhalin. Typical habitats are mountains, coniferous and mixed forests. Externally, the species under consideration is similar to the big-winged euonymus, and differs in the color of flowers and fruits. It boasts high decorative characteristics, suitable for landscaping large gardens and parks, as well as personal backyard plots.

Characteristics of culture

Red euonymus is a densely leafy shrub or small tree up to 4 m high with branches covered with gray-brown smooth bark. Young shoots are greenish, eventually becoming reddish-brown. The leaves are dark green, obovate or elliptical, leathery, serrate along the edge, up to 16 cm long. In autumn, the foliage changes its color to pinkish, yellow and red shades. The flowers (unlike other species) are bright, noticeable, red or lilac-red, collected in forked inflorescences of 4-13 pieces, equipped with thin peduncles of medium length.

Fruits are four-leafed capsules, red when ripe, contain seeds that do not fall out, but hang on thin "threads", decorating shrubs all autumn. Red euonymus blooms in June, fruits ripen in September. Flowering and fruiting is annual, abundant. The species is picky about growing conditions, especially soil fertility. Shrubs are tolerant of gas pollution, drought and lime content in the soil. Red euonymus reproduces by seeds, green cuttings, cuttings and root suckers. Both autumn and spring sowing is possible. But in the second case, stratification is required.

Application

It should be noted that other ornamental shrubs and trees do not have such a feature, namely, unusual fruits. Both before the moment of fruiting, and during it, the plants look fascinating and beautiful. At the time of flowering, euonymus red-fruited attracts the eyes with bright red flowers, which stand out strongly against the background of dark green foliage, giving the plants and the picture of the garden in general a zest. The species in question is perfectly combined with its relatives and with other crops, for example, with cotoneaster, barberry and mahonia.

Plants are spectacular both in single and group plantings. Shrubs look good in a hedge, since they tolerate a haircut and formative pruning without any problems. Red euonymus is also excellent for growing indoors, here it also performs an antibacterial function, as it is able to purify the air in the room. Often the plant is used in folk medicine, and this is despite the fact that all euonymus are poisonous.

Growing in the garden

Red euonymus makes high demands on soil conditions. Soils should be nutritious, moist, water and air permeable with a neutral or slightly acidic pH reaction. Plants do not tolerate prolonged waterlogging, so it is not recommended to plant shrubs in lowlands, where melt water accumulates in spring. Areas with a close occurrence of groundwater are not suitable for growing crops. The substrate for laying planting holes is made up of sod land, humus and washed river sand in a ratio of 2: 2: 1. In the presence of strongly acidic soils, preliminary liming is carried out with slaked lime (at the rate of 200 g of lime per planting pit).

When planting, the root collar is placed slightly above the level of the soil surface, because after shrinkage it will drop a few centimeters. The site for planting red-fruited euonymus seedlings is prepared in advance, as are the planting pits. The soil is freed from rhizome weeds and fertilized. After planting, the soil at the foot of the seedlings is watered for 1-2 weeks daily, but without allowing water to stagnate. To keep moisture in the soil for as long as possible, mulch with organic material. As you know, the red-fruited euonymus is a winter-hardy species, but the first two young shrubs need shelter with spruce branches and dry fallen leaves.

In the future, caring for the culture does not take much time. In the spring, humus or compost, potassium sulfate, wood ash and superphosphate are introduced under the bushes (the amount depends on the fertility of the soil). Loosening is carried out several times a month, weeds are removed as needed. They also regularly carry out preventive treatments against pests and diseases. The first spraying is carried out at the very beginning of the growing season, missing the moment, you can lose the plant or bring it to a very unattractive look. Timely pruning is considered an important care procedure. It is best to prune in the spring or after fruiting.