Masses of greenish-white florets cover Euonymus kiautschovicus in early September.
In Bailey’s “Standard Cyclopedia of Horticulture,” and in the 1927 edition of Rehder’s “Manual,” Euonymus kiautschovicus appeared under the gentler name of Euonymus patens.
But this name has been replaced in current hand books by the older one, Euonymus kiautschovicus, which takes priority over it—a name like a sneeze; one of those you hope you’ll never be called upon to pronounce out loud.
Yet, once you see how it was derived, it loses some of its frightfulness. It means the species from Kiaochow (Ke-ou-chow), a district in Shantung’s north eastern Chinese province.
Malus Ioensis “Iowa Crabapple”
It is no worse than, for instance, Malus ioensis (i-o-en-sis) for the Iowa crabapple.
This euonymus, although a native of eastern and central China, was introduced to western horticulture as a plant cultivated in Japan.
It was brought from that country to the Parsons Nurseries of Flushing, Long Island, in 1862 by Dr. George R. Hall, together with a number of other first-rate Japanese plants, including the Japanese barberry, Magnolia stellata, and the dwarf Japanese yew (Taxus cuspidata nana).
The fact that it was long known in European nurseries as Euonymus sieboldianus suggests that it may have been introduced there by the great japonist Philip Franz von Siebold.
Evergreen Euonymus Kinds
Our shrub stands about midway between the evergreen clinging kinds and the deciduous shrubby species of Euonymus.
One might almost dub it as a more robust, taller, and somewhat less glossy-leaved edition of the evergreen Euonymus fortunei carrierei.
Except that in climates comparable to that of Greater New York City, in situations at all exposed to the winter sun, it doesn’t retain its foliage through the winter.
It does this more or less dependably in milder climates, and, in totally shaded northern exposures,
I have seen it hold its leaves in fine condition as far north and inland as the Mid-Hudson Valley in New York State.
It forms a broad, rather erect shrub some 8’ to 10’ feet high, occasionally, especially in young plants, with the bases of the main branches somewhat stooled outward and rooting—a tendency that makes it easy to take off rooted pieces.
Layered branches root readily. As in Euonymus fortunei vegetus the young wood is green, the older grayish.
Notable Features
Like most other kinds of euonymus, it makes abundant fibrous roots, so it is easily transplanted, even in summer after the new growth has ripened, with a good ball of earth.
I would describe it as a substantial shrub of excellent foliage value.
The leaves are 2” to 3” inches long, very short-stalked, oblong to oboval, with the tips tapered to a bluntish point, rounded, or sometimes notched.
The margin is clearly or faintly scallop-toothed. Though thin, the leaves are somewhat leathery and slightly glossy.
The Appearance of Evergreen Foliage
Even though they may not be evergreen, they present the appearance of evergreen foliage in summer.
In fact, the foliage alone would justify the free use of this shrub in the home landscape. But it offers more than that.
About September 1, for two weeks or more, it puts on a pale green veil of panicled, tiny, greenish-white florets that are insignificant individually but uncommonly pretty and dainty in total effect.
Smoke Bush Act
A sort of green “smoke-bush” act. It is more welcome at a time when a few other shrubs are in bloom.
The fruit, too, is decorative. It consists of the customary bittersweet pattern of bright red kernels bursting from pinkish, split capsules.
Unfortunately, in the climate of lower New York State, it rarely reaches the decorative, ripe stage. But farther south, the display of fruit is a treat, indeed.
Shrubby Habit Of Euonymus
Though this euonymus is definitely of shrubby habit, it does occasionally, especially when planted near a brick or stone wall or building, throw out long, vine-like branches that go hugging the wall (without clinging to it) and clambering over a porch roof.
A first-rate, hardy, good-natured shrub, easily transplanted, adaptable to varied soils and uses, and as far as my observations go, rarely, if ever, plagued by euonymus scale.
It deserves wider use than has been made of it.
44659 by P.J. Van Melle