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Euonymus fortunei 'Mickaela' SUMMER RUNNER Fortune´s spindle, Fortune'e euonymus
Euonymus
The genus Euonymus is a botanically diverse group of woody plants that includes both deciduous and evergreen shrubs as well as small trees. In nature, it occurs mainly in the temperate zone of the Northern Hemisphere – from Europe through the Caucasus to East Asia. Some species have been introduced into subtropical regions of Southeast Asia and Australia. In gardens, the most common representatives are the European Euonymus europaeus with its striking pink fruits, the evergreen Euonymus fortunei, which creeps and climbs walls, and the evergreen Euonymus japonicus, which forms compact shrubs with glossy leaves. The genus is renowned for its adaptability to different conditions, making it a popular choice for urban greenery, hedges, and collection plantings. The wood of some species, especially those with a harder structure, was traditionally used in Asia to make fine brushes for calligraphy – valued for its strength and delicate fibrous texture.
The evergreen group of Fortune's spindle originates in East Asia and includes forms native to China, Japan, Korea and parts of Southeast Asia. The species was first described in detail in the nineteenth century by the Russian botanist Nikolai Turczaninow (1796–1863), who named it Elaeodendron fortunei in honour of the Scottish plant collector and botanist Robert Fortune (1812–1880). At that time, Fortune was actively collecting plants in China, contributing significantly to their introduction into Europe and supplying the first living material of this species. The transfer of the species to the genus Euonymus followed in 1933, supported by the detailed work of Japanese botanists such as Nakai (1882–1952) and Hiroshi Hara (1911–1986), whose descriptions of local forms helped to clarify its position within the genus. In garden culture, it became established as a reliable “green underlay”, a plant that fills empty spaces, maintains shaded structure and, when required, grows either as a groundcover or a climber. What functions as remarkable adaptability in one context has proved problematic elsewhere: in parts of North America the species has become overly successful, behaves aggressively and damages forest ecosystems, and is therefore subject to regulated control in some regions.
SUMMER RUNNER is an Irish cultivar of Fortune's euonymus that was discovered in 1993 by Val Farrell in Rathmooney, near Dublin. It was a natural mutation of the Sunspot cultivar (from 1978) and Val originally named it after his wife, Mickaela. Later, it was given the trade name SUMMER RUNNER and was protected under patent no. PP16789, issued in 2006.
SUMMER RUNNER euonymus boasts a bright yellow colour in the centre of its small, evergreen leaves. These are firm, leathery, and margined deep green. Young leaves are very glossy. The twigs, too, are bright yellow, giving it a vibrant appearance. Yellow leaf areas take on pink to soft purple tones in autumn and winter. It grows mostly outward, creating dense, well-branched ground cover without empty spaces in the centre. Unlike older cultivars, it remains compact even without shaping, featuring shorter shoots. It works beautifully as an eye-catching cushion-like plant or as a lush, evergreen ground cover.
These spindles are especially valuable as underplanting for group arrangements, providing an attractive understory while allowing taller plants in the centre to draw attention. However, careful cultivar selection is advised to avoid excessive variegation or overly light-coloured foliage in combination with other taller shrubs. If placed near a vertical support, it can climb up and form a colourful evergreen wall or even a hedge.
Fortune’s spindle is easy to grow and thrives in sunlight or light shade. Pruning can be done anytime from spring to mid-summer. It prefers slightly acidic soil, though this is not essential. While it enjoys moisture, once established, it handles dry periods remarkably well. Fully hardy down to around -34 °C (USDA zone 4), it is also suitable for outdoor planters.
Last update 27-05-2025.
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- STANDARD QUALITY - Plants of this group are 1st class quality with number of branches and overall density adequate to their size and age, considering they were container grown.
- DE LUXE QUALITY - This label guarantees a luxurious quality of manually selected plants that, compared to their height and age, are exceptionally dense and beautiful.
- EXTRA - These plants are usually mature and bigger specimens with exceptional overall appearance.
- STANDARD (as described in the plant form) means a tree with a trunk of 190-210 cm and a crown at the top, unless specified differently. The commercial size for trees is their girth measured in the height of 1m from ground.
- HOBBY - These plants are of the same quality as our standard-quality plants but younger and therefore cheaper.
- SHRUB - a woody plant with branches growing bushy from the ground level.
- HALF-STANDARD or MINI-STANDARD - a small tree with shorter trunk, its size is usually specified.
- FEATHERED - These are trees with branches growing already from the base of the trunk and up along the stem.
- GRASSES and PERENNIALS - Sizes given usually read the diameter of the pot or the clump, as specified.
