Purple Wintercreeper (Euonymus fortunei ‘Coloratus’) is one of the most versatile evergreen ground covers available — equally at home in sun or shade, spreading quickly to form a dense weed-suppressing mat, stabilizing slopes with a strong root system, and adding genuine seasonal interest with foliage that turns a rich deep purple in cold weather. At just 6–9 inches tall, it works as a ground cover, pathway edging, foundation planting, or climbing vine on walls and fences. Fast-growing and nearly maintenance-free once established. Hardy in zones 4–9.

Best for: Ground cover in sun or shade, erosion control on slopes, foundation plantings, edging, and climbing accent on walls and fences.

Why Gardeners Choose Purple Wintercreeper

• Unique purple winter color: Glossy green foliage deepens to a rich burgundy-purple in cold weather — one of the few ground covers that provides genuine seasonal color interest in fall and winter when most plants go dormant.
• Thrives in sun or shade: Performs well across a wider light range than most ground covers — from full sun to partial shade — making it a flexible solution for mixed-condition landscapes.
• Fast, dense coverage: Spreads by rooting along the stems, knitting into a thick, interlocking mat that shades out weeds and fills in bare areas quickly.
• Multi-purpose versatility: Functions as a ground cover, edging plant, foundation accent, or climbing vine — one plant that can solve multiple landscape challenges depending on how it’s used.
• Excellent erosion control: Deep rooting stems anchor soil effectively on slopes, banks, and hillsides — a strong performer where erosion is a persistent problem.
• Low maintenance: Once established, requires minimal watering, feeds lightly once in spring, and needs only occasional pruning to control spread.

Planting & Care

• Light: Full sun to partial shade — adaptable across a wide range of light conditions.
• Soil: Prefers well-drained soil but adapts to most soil types including clay and sandy soils. Good drainage reduces disease pressure.
• Growth rate: Fast-growing — spreads aggressively by rooting stems once established.
• Mature size: 6–9 inches tall as ground cover; can climb 6–15 feet when given a vertical surface.
• Spacing: Plant 18 inches apart for ground cover use. At this spacing, 100 plants cover approximately 225 sq. ft.
• Watering: Water consistently during the first growing season to establish roots. Once established, drought-tolerant with minimal supplemental watering needed.
• Feeding: Apply a balanced slow-release fertilizer in early spring to support vigorous spreading.
• Pruning: Prune to control spread along beds, sidewalks, and borders. If used as a climber, trim to shape as needed. Regular edging keeps it contained in formal plantings.
• Important note: Can spread aggressively if left unmanaged — annual pruning along edges keeps it well-behaved in the landscape.
• Bare root care: Soak bare root plants in cool water for several hours upon arrival. Plant immediately into loosened, moist soil.

Best Uses

• Ground cover in sun or shade
• Erosion control on slopes, banks, and hillsides
• Foundation plantings along walls and structures
• Pathway and sidewalk edging
• Climbing accent on walls, chimneys, fences, and trellises
• Low-maintenance lawn substitute in problem areas

Grows Best In

• USDA Zones: 4–9
• Climate notes: Cold-hardy and heat-tolerant across a wide range. The purple winter color is most intense in zones 4–6 where temperatures drop significantly. Evergreen in all zones — foliage persists year-round even in zone 4. Adapts to humidity, drought, and a wide range of soil types once established.

Problem Solved

Purple Wintercreeper is the answer for the challenging areas where you need a ground cover that works in both sun and shade — most evergreen ground covers are shade-specialists, but Wintercreeper handles both without compromising performance.

Also the right choice for slopes where erosion control is the priority and you want something that looks good year-round — the purple winter color is a bonus that keeps the landscape interesting even in the coldest months.

Pro Tip

For the fastest slope coverage, plant bare root bundles on 18-inch centers and apply a light layer of straw mulch immediately after planting to retain moisture and protect roots while they establish. Once the stems begin rooting into the soil — usually by midsummer of the first year — spread accelerates dramatically and the planting fills in quickly.

Explore More Evergreen Ground Cover Options

• For deep shade coverage, see our Pachysandra terminalis — the top evergreen ground cover for full shade under trees.
• For a fast-spreading shade option, browse our Vinca Minor Bare-Root Bundles.
• Browse our full Evergreen Perennials collection for year-round structure.
• Explore all Fast Growing Groundcovers for sun and shade.
• Control erosion with our full range of Erosion Control Plants.
• Pair with other Deer-Resistant Groundcovers for browsing-pressure sites.

Shipping Information

• 3.5-inch pot: 1 plant per order, rooted and ready to plant.
• Bare root: 25 plants per order — soak roots upon arrival before planting.
• 100 plants cover approximately 225 sq. ft. at 18-inch spacing.
• Shipping restriction: Cannot ship to Indiana, Maine, Maryland, or New York.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will it grow in full shade?
It tolerates partial shade well, but performs best and shows the richest purple color in full sun to light shade. It is less suited to deep, full shade than Pachysandra or Vinca Minor.

Does it climb?
Yes — when given a vertical surface it will climb walls, chimneys, fences, and trellises, reaching 6–15 feet. Trim to control height and spread on vertical surfaces.

How fast does it spread?
Fast — spreads by rooting along the stems and fills in quickly once established, especially in the second and third seasons.

Is it invasive?
It can spread aggressively if unmanaged. Annual pruning along bed edges keeps it contained. Note that it cannot ship to IN, ME, MD, or NY due to state regulations.

How many do I need?
At 18-inch spacing, 100 plants cover approximately 225 sq. ft. Use our bare root 25-pack for large areas to reduce cost per plant.