Euonymus fortunei 'Moonshadow'
Best vibrant foliage for discerning gardeners seeking healthy specimens.
The Euonymus fortunei 'Moonshadow', also known as Variegated Wintercreeper, is a low-growing shrub that excels as a ground cover. Its variegated foliage adds visual interest to the landscape. This cultivar typically reaches a mature height of 1 to 2 feet and spreads 2 to 3 feet wide. It was discovered as a sport from the popular 'Sunspot' wintercreeper. 'Moonshadow' thrives in zones 5-8 and prefers part sun to full shade conditions. It is an evergreen plant with a low maintenance requirement and is well-suited for container planting.
$20.00
Owner Satisfaction
4.6
/ 5
Category Rank
864
/ 3269
#864 in Landscaping & Garden Plants
Price vs Category Average
-28%
Below average
Mature Size
1223
/ - ft height by - ft width
Who it's for
- Gardeners desiring consistent, cheerful color in their landscape
- Beginners or busy individuals seeking an easy-care, robust plant
- Homeowners and designers needing flexible, attractive evergreen solutions
Who should skip it
- Ecologically minded gardeners wary of plants that can outcompete natives
- Gardeners preferring plants with strong natural pest and disease resistance
- Landscapers or homeowners needing rapid groundcover or border fill
Performance breakdown
Visual Impact
Striking variegated foliage provides consistent brightness in darker garden corners.
Maintenance Ease
Requires minimal pruning to maintain its tidy, low-growing habit.
Shade Adaptability
Thrives in low-light environments where many other shrubs struggle.
Year-Round Interest
Evergreen leaves ensure the landscape stays vibrant throughout winter months.
Versatility
Equally effective as a dense ground cover or in decorative containers.
Drought Resilience
Needs consistent moisture to remain lush during peak summer heat.
Key Specs
Mature Size
1-2 ft height by 2-3 ft width
Zones
5-8
Light Exposure
Part Sun or Shade
Growth Habit
Groundcover
Foliage
Variegated
Plant Type
Shrub
Drought Tolerance
Low
Maintenance
Low
Features
- Attractive variegated foliage
- Low-growing ground cover habit
- Evergreen for year-round interest
- Tolerates shade conditions
- Low maintenance needs
What customers say
Customers consistently praise the exceptional quality of the Euonymus fortunei 'Moonshadow' received from Mr Maple. Reviewers frequently highlight the plants arriving in robust health, well established, and exhibiting vibrant foliage true to description. The meticulous packaging is a recurring theme, ensuring specimens arrive undamaged and ready for planting. This attention to detail significantly contributes to a highly positive initial experience, fostering confidence in the product's long term success in the garden.
Know before you buy
Since this cultivar spreads 2 to 3 feet wide, you should space them approximately 2 feet apart to achieve a solid, continuous carpet effect over time.
Yes, it thrives in part sun to full shade. While it can handle deep shade, you may notice the variegation on the leaves becomes slightly less vibrant compared to plants grown in partial sun.
Yes, 'Moonshadow' is an evergreen shrub. In the colder end of its hardiness range (zone 5), it will retain its foliage throughout the winter, though it may experience some leaf bronzing if exposed to harsh, drying winds.
While 'Moonshadow' is not considered drought-tolerant, it does not require constant attention once established. However, you should monitor soil moisture during dry spells, as it prefers consistent hydration to maintain its lush appearance.
Absolutely. Its compact, low-growing habit makes it an excellent choice for containers, where it can spill over the edges for a soft, decorative look.
Still have a question?
Ask Hayley anything about this product before you decide.
Ready to buy?
$20