Euonymus (Euonymus kiautschovicus 'Manhattan')
Euonymus kiautschovicus 'Manhattan' is a low-maintenance, broadleaf evergreen shrub ideal for hedges and screens.
Scroll down to discover growing tips, care requirements, companion plants, and more
Complete Plant Information
Overview
Euonymus kiautschovicus ‘Manhattan’ is a highly valued, adaptable broadleaf evergreen shrub known for its uniform, upright rounded growth habit. Discovered in Manhattan, Kansas, this cultivar of spreading euonymus provides excellent year-round structure, making it a reliable choice for formal and informal landscape designs. The foliage is noted for being glossy and deep green, offering excellent texture against other plantings.
Gardening with Euonymus offers significant practical benefits; it is recognized for its low maintenance needs and tolerance for challenging urban environments. While it often retains its foliage in warmer zones, northern gardeners in USDA Zones 5 and 6 may see semi-evergreen or deciduous behavior during harsh winters. These features solidify Euonymus kiautschovicus ‘Manhattan’ as a dependable backbone plant.
This vigorous shrub provides interest across the seasons, starting with fragrant, showy flowers in mid-summer, followed by attractive pink fruit capsules in autumn. Whether used singly as an accent or massed for screening, the ‘Manhattan’ cultivar delivers reliable performance, making it a staple for gardeners seeking evergreen density without demanding excessive upkeep.
Fast Facts
- Plant Family: Celastraceae
- Plant Type: Broadleaf evergreen
- Hardiness Zones: USDA Zones 5-8
- Size at Maturity:
- Height: 4-6 ft
- Spread: 3-5 ft
- Bloom Time: July to August
- Bloom Description: Greenish-white
- Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade
- Water Needs: Medium
- Maintenance Level: Low
How to Grow
The best time to establish your Euonymus kiautschovicus ‘Manhattan’ is typically in the spring or fall when temperatures are moderate. Locate these shrubs where they receive full sun to partial shade, ensuring the location has average moisture and excellent drainage. Euonymus tolerates a wide array of soil types but absolutely dislikes wet, boggy conditions.
Once planted, maintain medium watering until the shrub is fully established; this usually involves a deep watering during dry spells. Fertilization is rarely necessary due to its low maintenance requirements, but a standard slow-release fertilizer in early spring can support vigorous growth, especially if screening quickly is desired. Prune lightly, if needed, immediately after flowering to maintain hedge shape or control overall size.
A crucial factor for success in colder climates (Zones 5 and 6) is managing winter stress. Be prepared for potential dieback or leaf drop, as the foliage may turn yellow or drop entirely in severe cold. In these areas, mulching heavily around the base can help moderate soil temperatures. Rooted stem cuttings are an easy propagation method should you wish to expand your planting of this tough Euonymus.
Landscape Uses
The primary functional role for Euonymus kiautschovicus ‘Manhattan’ is in creating boundaries and screening. Its dense, upright habit makes it an exceptional choice for formal hedges or informal screens where 4 to 6 feet of solid evergreen backdrop is required. Consider mass planting these shrubs along a property line or adjacent to utility boxes for instant visual softening.
Beyond hedging, this cultivar excels in foundation plantings where its manageable size rarely overwhelms structures. Use a single specimen plant as an accent near an entrance, allowing it to develop its natural rounded form. For group plantings, intersperse the dark green foliage with contrasting textures, perhaps pairing it with fine-textured ornamental grasses or plants that offer bright spring flowers.
For a layered effect near walkways, place the Euonymus slightly behind lower-growing, shade-tolerant perennials or groundcovers. Its adaptability to urban pollution makes the ‘Manhattan’ cultivar a strong candidate for areas where air quality or soil compaction might stress less resilient species.
Standout Features
Flower Qualities
- Showy
- Fragrant
Fruit Qualities
- Showy
Noteworthy Characteristics
Euonymus kiautschovicus ‘Manhattan’ is a cultivar valued for its glossy, broad-elliptic, deep green leaves measuring up to 2 1/2 inches long. It forms an upright rounded shrub, typically maturing between 4 and 6 feet tall, though it can occasionally reach 8 feet. The early summer blooms are greenish-white and attractive to bees, preceding the November appearance of pink fruits containing red seeds.
Tolerances
(No data provided)
Potential Problems
The greatest pest concern for most Euonymus species is scale insects, although the ‘Manhattan’ cultivar reportedly shows good resistance. Gardeners should still periodically inspect stems and undersides of leaves for the presence of Euonymus scale. Other issues, such as anthracnose, crown gall, leaf spot, mildew, and aphids, can occasionally affect health.
Management often involves improving air circulation through selective pruning to combat fungal issues like mildew. Promptly address any scale sightings; often, horticultural oil applied during the dormant season or early summer can effectively disrupt the insect life cycle before infestations become severe.
Frequently Asked Questions
What hardiness zones is Euonymus suitable for?
This hardy cultivar, Euonymus kiautschovicus ‘Manhattan’, is reliably grown in USDA Hardiness Zones 5 through 8.
How large does Euonymus grow?
This shrub typically reaches a mature height between 4 and 6 feet tall, with spreads generally ranging from 3 to 5 feet wide.
What sun exposure does Euonymus need?
For best performance and density, plant Euonymus in full sun to part shade conditions.
When does Euonymus bloom?
The flowering period for this plant occurs in the summer, specifically from July to August, producing greenish-white flowers.
Conclusion
The Euonymus kiautschovicus ‘Manhattan’ offers gardeners a dependable, low-maintenance evergreen solution perfect for structure, screening, and hedges. Its glossy foliage and summer fragrance add reliable aesthetic texture to the landscape throughout the growing season. Before planting, always confirm that your growing location falls within USDA Zones 5-8 to ensure the best evergreen performance for this excellent Euonymus selection.
Companion Planting
When designing borders utilizing Euonymus kiautschovicus ‘Manhattan’, consider companion plants that benefit from similar bright to semi-shady light conditions and require medium moisture. Hostas work well near the base, especially those with yellow or white variegation, as their contrasting leaf shape pops against the dark green, glossy leaves of the Euonymus. For spring color before the Euonymus blooms, spring-flowering bulbs or early deciduous shrubs like Azaleas thrive in these shared cultural requirements.
Propagation Tips
Propagation of this cultivar is relatively straightforward for gardeners looking to increase their stock of Euonymus. Softwood or semi-hardwood stem cuttings taken in the summer months root readily under humid conditions. Ensure cuttings include a few nodes and are treated with rooting hormone before setting them in a well-draining propagation medium. Successful rooting leads to clones that maintain the desirable characteristics of the parent ‘Manhattan’ shrub.
