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Re: Euonymus alatus

In a message dated 98-07-14 02:34:34 EDT, you write:

<< Euonymous need cold to turn color. Where is this plant? Even in Tucson,
 (even central Tucson at the university where temps only dip into the 30s F
 shortly) these plants change color. Are you sure it is the plant you think
 it to be? I don't think sun exposure is an issue either because the plants I
 know are in total shade, yet I have seen them in near full sun with the same
 outcome.
 
 Jared R. Shortman >>

Oops.  I should have mentioned these plants are in the suburbs of St. Louis,
Missouri, zone 6.    Protected sites can make a difference in fall color.  I
have some Virginia Creeper (Parthenocissus quinquefolia) in my yard growing
along a south-facing wall and protected on the west by trees.  It never shows
fall color.  This is native to Missouri and dominates most of our forest
floors.  It is brilliant scarlet in the deep shade of the forest, but not in
the sun in my yard!  It needs a shock of cold to turn, which it doesn't get
until after the leaves brown and fall.  Our autumns are usually pretty
temperate.  It often doesn't get really cold until December.   We have
wonderful fall colors here, but protected spots can make a difference with
some plants.  

Many plants need sun to show fall colors.  You confirmed what I thought to be
the case, that sun is not the issue with euonymus.  

The shrubs in question are mature, but my friend has only lived in the house
two 
years and, if I remember correctly, these past two autumns have been mild. 

And, yes, I am quite sure they are Euonymus alatus 'Compactus'.  I looked at
them carefully and am familiar with the plant.  Those corky "wings" on the
stems are quite distinctive.  The leaves and vase-shaped form of her shrubs
are also true to type.  

This is getting long, but I have to add that I visited Tuscon for the first
time last year and was very, very impressed with the extensive use of native
landscaping.  I was busy at a conference, but I spent every minute I could
spare enjoying and studying your magnificant flora.  Absolutely fascinating.
I didn't realize before that such an abundance and diversity of plant life was
possible in a desert environment. And I have never seen another city with
landscaping that blended so seamlessly and beautifully with the surrounding
natural landscape!  I loved it.

Thanks for the help!  --Janis

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