Euonymus fortunei var. radicans Wolong Ghost - Spindle

The Euonymus fortunei Wolong Ghost is an unusual creeping spindle tree variety, whose stunning design finds multiple uses in the garden, as well as in flower pots on balconies and terraces. Its dark green evergreen foliage with white-silver veins enlivens shaded areas of the garden in a remarkable way, whether trained as a small climber, spread on the ground, nestled in the rockery, or cascading from pots. It is an ornamental bush all year round, without requiring maintenance. Very tolerant in terms of soil and exposure, but does not tolerate dry conditions.

Native to Asia and northern China, Euonymus fortunei var. radicans is a slow-growing groundcover bush of the Celastraceae family, perfectly hardy and well-tolerant of limestone in the soil. The 'Wolong Ghost' variety, discovered in the Chinese province of Sichuan, is distinguished by its elongated dark green foliage with wide, very light veins, and its naturally rather sparse habit, which can be densified through pruning. At maturity, this slow-growing cultivar will reach approximately 10-15 cm (3.9-5.9 in) in height* with a spread of at least 60 cm (23.6 in). It develops long, flexible branches that can be easily trained and have the ability to cling to their support thanks to climbing roots. The persistent, elliptical leaves, 6 to 8 cm (2.4 to 3.1 in) long, serrated and glossy, are bright green when young and then take on a slightly dark greenish-grey hue. Regular areas of a silver-white colour appear along the main and secondary veins. In spring, inconspicuous flowering occurs on the year's shoots, in the form of small clusters of white-greenish flowers.

Euonymus fortunei Wolong Ghost thrives in well-drained soil, in a non-arid position, preferably semi-shaded. It can be used in pots or containers on a terrace, in a rockery or bordering a bed, and even to highlight the curve of a pathway or the steps of a staircase, or to cover the slope of a retaining wall. It is useful for greening a low wall without becoming uncontrollable. You can also plant it in less accessible areas of the garden to limit the growth of 'weeds' while providing a permanent decoration throughout the seasons. Combine it with other solid ground cover plants such as Waldsteinia ternata, Bergenia, creeping cotoneasters, or other varieties of variegated creeping spindles.

* When encountering an obstacle, the spindle tree can climb any support using stems that form climbing roots. Then it can reach up to 1.50 m (4 ft 11 in) or even 2 m (6 ft 7 in) in height.