Euonymus alatus compactum "Dwarf Burning Bush"	Euonymus kiaufschovicus "Manhattan"	Euonymus japonica "Silver King"

    The genus Euonymus represents a wide array of plants used in the landscape.  The upside of these plants is that they provide various colors and forms to enhance the landscape.  The down side is that they experience severe scale insect problems (Vol. 2  #124).    Why then would I write a column recommending Euonymus?  This is a plant on many people's "blacklist" because on insect problems.  We have not stocked many of these plants for years, but this year we decided to stock a few.  Often we have lengthy evening discussions about the store.  One such discussion led our one employee to say that she had two "Gold Spot" (variegated) euonymus for 6 years with no scale problems.  Last year, year plant became infested.  She went on to say that she would treat the plant.  Even if the plant has to removed, Judy has derived much pleasure out of its appearance through the years and has no regrets.   The other upside is that the plants are easy to grow.  Okay, we ordered some.

    A creeping form of Eounymus is "Wintercreeper" of Eounymus fortunei.  This plant is usually variegated and creeps out 4 or 5 feet, staying below a height of 12 inches.  I once had this plant at a house I rented.  It was quite attractive and I had no insect problems.  It was planted by the foundation between a stoop and a window.  I decided to paint the window frames and began to remove the plant which had creeped up the side of my house.  It was fairly well entrenched in my screen door and had adhered to my window sill.  The tendrils produce a waxy residue.  After peeling off the vine, my window would hold no paint despite several sandings.  I would have had to strip all paint off in order to conquer the wax.  I should have confined this plant.  Still, it was attractive.

    Upright forms of Euonymus include the variegated "Silver King" (Euonymus japonica) and the lush green "Manhattan" (Euonymus kiautschovicus).  Both grow rapidly and respond well to shearing, rendering very nice hedges.  While working on a yard in Long Island this fall, we uprooted Eounymus seedlings everywhere.  They can spread profusely and are classified as invasive by many people.

    The Euonymus alatus compactum or "Dwarf Burning Bush" (Winged Euonymus) is very popular because of the brilliant red color in the fall prior to this deciduous plant''s dropping of its leaves.  The bark is corky and quite interesting.  This plant is on the invasive list of the Virginia Native Plant Society.  A native relative is the "American Arrow-wood" or Euonymus americanus.  Some folks call this the "strawberry bush" because of its vivid red fruit.  The "Arrow-wood" resembles the "Burning Bush" and I find it in the woods behind my house.  Occasionally, I get lucky and catch the deciduous "Pinxster" azalea in fragrant bloom.

    Boy, I sure said a lot of bad things about a plant on our recommended list.  Everyone has a preference and, as Judy said, maybe the plant deserves consideration.  Have a good week.

                                                                                Andy Lynn