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Key characteristics

Family: Celastraceae
Height: 2 to 3 feet
Width: 2 to 3 feet
Flower color: Inconspicuous greenish-white
Foliage color: Variegated with green and creamy white markings
Bloom time: Late spring to early summer
Light: Partial shade to full sun
Water: Moderate
Maintenance: Low
Growing zone: 5 to 9
Wildlife: Attracts birds with its ornamental fruits in autumn

Shrubs

Euonymus fortunei ‘Emerald Gaiety’

Emerald Gaiety Wintercreeper

Euonymus fortunei 'Emerald Gaiety' is a popular evergreen shrub prized for its ornamental foliage and versatility in garden landscapes. Its glossy, oval-shaped leaves are variegated with green and creamy white markings, creating a striking contrast that adds year-round visual interest. In spring, new growth is creamy yellow with chartreuse variegation, fading to white and green as the season progresses, and in colder climates, the foliage may take on a pinkish hue in winter.

Light

Partial shade to full sun

Water

Moderate

Bloom time

Late spring to early summer

Find this plant

Works well in

Sun Gardens
Borders
Containers
Pathways & Walkways

Companion plants

Gaura · Weigela · Salvia · Baptisia · Lilies · Mexican feather grass

Design tip

Creamy white margins give ‘Emerald Gaiety’ a cooler, more subdued effect than gold-variegated wintercreepers. It works particularly well beside burgundy or deep green foliage, while the pink tones that develop in cold weather introduce an unexpected color change to the winter planting.

Printable plant sheet (PDF)