Deciduous Shrub Of The Day

Euonymus alatus 'Compactus'

Winged Euonymus

Type Shrub, woody plant

Hardy range 4B to 8B

Height 8' to 10' / 2.40m to 3.00m

Spread 6' to 10' / 1.80m to 3.00m

Growth rate Average

Form Rounded

Exposure Partial shade or partial sun to full sun

Persistence Deciduous

Bloom Color Green and yellow

Bloom Time Spring

Environment

This plant tolerates drought.

This plant will grow in very dry soil.

Suitable soil is well-drained/loamy, sandy or clay.

The pH preference is an acidic to slightly alkaline (less than 6.8 to 7.7) soil.

Leaf Color Green

Fall Color Red

This plant has attractive fall colors.

Leaf Identification

Type: Simple

Arrangement: Opposite

Venations: Pinnate

Margins: Serrate

Shapes: Elliptic and obovate

Length: Less than 2in./5cm to 4in./10cm

Culture Notes

This cultivar stays smaller than the species, but is not as compact as 'Rudy Haag'. This is still not a small plant but is better adapted for residential landscapes than the species. The fall color is second to none among any plant used in the US. Use the compact cultivars instead of the species for planting along foundations. Plants appear to survive dry periods well but will enjoy a mulched layer like other shrubs and trees will. Killing point for young roots is 19 degrees F; for mature roots 7 degrees F. Pollen causes mild allergies.

Planting and establishing shrubs

The most common cause of young plant failure is planting too deep. Plant the root ball no deeper than it was in the nursery. In most instances, the root flare zone (point where the top-most root in the root ball originates from the trunk) should be located just above the landscape soil surface. Sometimes plants come from the nursery with soil over the root flare. If there is soil over this area, scrape it off. The planting hole should be at least twice the width of the root ball, preferably wider. In all but exceptional circumstances where the soil is very poor, there is no need to incorporate anything into the backfill soil except the loosened soil that came out of the planting hole. Never place ANY soil over the root ball. If a row or grouping of plants is to be installed, excavating or loosening the soil in the entire bed and incorporating organic matter enhances root growth and establishment rate.

Weed suppression during establishment is essential. Apply a 3-inch thick layer of mulch around the plant to help control weed growth. Keep it at least 10 inches from the trunk. If you apply it over the root ball, apply only a one or two inch layer. This allows rainwater and air to easily enter the root ball and keeps the trunk dry. Placing mulch against the trunk or applying too thick a layer above the root ball can kill the plant by oxygen starvation, death of bark, stem and root diseases, prevention of hardening off for winter, vole and other rodent damage to the trunk, keeping soil too wet, or repelling water. Regular irrigation through the first growing season after planting encourages rapid root growth, which is essential for quick plant establishment.

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