Winterberry Euonymus is a winter hardy semi-evergreen that can be grown as a shrub with significant pruning, or as a small tree. At maturity it can reach a height and width of 25 feet, therefore, the location should accommodate the mature size. In its native Asia, it is often found in shrubby formations in river valleys, coastal plains, and alluvial sands. In cultivation, it is often used as a specimen or a windbreak on hillsides, large native area, or commercial or industrial parks. Fall leaf colors may be muted, depending on location but are often in the yellow brown range. Tree offshoots can invade into undesirable areas, especially if near roadsides or woodlands and the tree is unattended. The tree is semi-evergreen because leaf drop is late and often only a few weeks before spring leaves begin. This is one of the most common species in the genus. Its growth is quite variable under both cultivated and wild conditions. The plant will grow well in most soils with full sun or partial shade, but it does not tolerate wet conditions. Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Euonymus scale is a problem with most species of this plant. The Clemson Cooperative Extension Home & Garden Information Center has a factsheet on common pests and diseases. More information on Euonymus .
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day) | Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Soil texture
Clay; Loam (Silt); Sand
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0); Alkaline (>8.0); Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Moist | Occasionally Dry
Available space
12-24 feet
NC region
Coastal; Mountains; Piedmont
Mature size
Height: 15 ft. 0 in. - 25 ft. 0 in. | Width: 15 ft. 0 in. - 25 ft. 0 in.
Growth rate
Medium
Maintenance
Low
Canopy layer
2 - Understory (15-40 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Erect; Rounded
Texture
Medium
Foliage
Deciduous
Leaf color
Green
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf arrangement
Opposite
Leaf shape
Elliptical; Ovate
Leaf margin
Crenulate; Serrate
Leaf feel
Leathery
Leaf value
Showy
Leaf size
1-3 inches long
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
Leaf is 2 to 4 inches long and spherical in shape. It is a light to medium green and turns color in the fall to pink, yellow, brown, or sometimes red.
Fall color
Brown/Copper; Gold/Yellow; Pink
Flower color
Gold/Yellow; Green; Orange; Pink; White
Flower form
Cyme
Flower size
< 1 inch
Flower detail
The flower is small and inconspicuous (0.3 of an inch) in yellowish-green, blooming in mid-spring.
Bloom time
Spring
Fruit color
Red/Burgundy
Fruit type
Berry; Capsule
Fruit detail
The capsule holding the berry is pink and seeds are 4 lobed and bright red.
Bark detail
High corky ridges.
Stem color
Green
Stem detail
branches and twigs terete, sturdy, green to light green.
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Non-native
Origin
South East Siberia to China, Korea, and Japan.
Distribution
Throughout south, southeast
Wildlife value
Birds
Food & Medicine
Harvest time
Fall
Fruit type
Berry; Capsule
Edibility
Although toxicity has not been recorded for this particular species, a number of plants in this genus are poisonous and so caution is advised. Illness results only after eating large quantities of any part of the shrub.
Euonymus Pest Management Calendar; Pests of Euonymus; Euonymus Scale
Problems
Poisonous to Humans
Propagation
Seed; Stem Cutting
Poison severity
Low
Poison parts
Bark; Flowers; Fruits; Leaves; Roots
Poison symptoms
Symptoms include abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, convulsions, weakness, chills, and coma. Ingesting large amounts of any part of the plant is toxic and can result in poisoning. Children may be attracted to fruits in fall. No part of this plant is edible, including seeds.