{"product_id":"moonshadow-wintercreeper","title":"Moonshadow Wintercreeper","description":"\u003ch1\u003eA Glowing Gold-Centered Evergreen for Year-Round Minnesota Color\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMoonshadow Wintercreeper (\u003cem\u003eEuonymus fortunei\u003c\/em\u003e 'Moonshadow') lights up the landscape with glossy leaves marked by bright gold-yellow centers and green margins, held all year on a tough broadleaf evergreen. Compact and mounding, it works as a low shrub or a spreading groundcover, takes sun or shade, and tolerates clay and urban soil. Whether you want an evergreen accent in a Maple Grove foundation bed, a bright groundcover under a shaded Edina canopy, or off-season color in a Woodbury border, Moonshadow keeps things colorful through every season.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eMoonshadow Wintercreeper Plant Details\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAttribute\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDetail\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eEuonymus fortunei\u003c\/em\u003e 'Moonshadow'\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommon Names\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMoonshadow Wintercreeper, Wintercreeper Euonymus\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMature Height\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e2–3 feet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMature Width\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e3–4 feet — mounding to spreading\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGrowth Rate\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eModerate\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSun\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFull sun to part shade; brightest gold centers in good light\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWater\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eModerate. Consistent moisture while establishing; quite adaptable once settled.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eUSDA Zones\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e5–8; in the Twin Cities (zone 4b–5a) plant in a sheltered spot with reliable snow cover\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSoil\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eVery adaptable — tolerates Minnesota clay-loam, urban, and dry soils. Prefers well-drained ground.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFoliage\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBroadleaf evergreen — glossy leaves with bright gold centers, held year-round\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWinter Hardiness\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eReliable in zone 5a; marginal in colder, exposed zone-4b sites — shelter from winter sun and wind to prevent leaf burn\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDeer Resistance\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eModerate\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNative Status\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot native — native to Asia. Vigorous; it can root where stems touch soil and climb, so site where you can keep it in bounds.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eMoonshadow Wintercreeper Uses in Minnesota Landscapes\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eYear-Round Evergreen Accent\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIts gold-centered foliage keeps a planting from looking bare in the off-season — a valuable trait in a Minnesota winter. Place it where you'll see it from the house for color when little else has any.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eGroundcover and Edging\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLeft to spread, Moonshadow makes a low evergreen groundcover for slopes, bed edges, and tough spots under trees, knitting together to suppress weeds. Space plants about 3 feet apart for coverage.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eShade-Tolerant Filler\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt handles more shade than most variegated shrubs, useful under the dappled light of mature oaks and maples where year-round structure is hard to come by.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eBest Time to Plant Moonshadow Wintercreeper in Minnesota\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePlant in \u003cstrong\u003espring (May, after the ground thaws)\u003c\/strong\u003e for the longest establishment window — the safest choice for a broadleaf evergreen here. \u003cstrong\u003eEarly fall (late August–mid September)\u003c\/strong\u003e can also work if you plant early enough to root in before freeze. Avoid mid-summer heat and never plant after mid-October.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eHow to Plant Moonshadow Wintercreeper\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003col\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eChoose a spot sheltered from harsh winter sun and wind — the biggest factor in keeping the evergreen leaves clean through winter.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDig a hole twice the width of the root ball and just as deep, so the crown sits at or slightly above grade.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLoosen heavy clay and mix in 20–30% compost; ensure the spot drains well.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSet the plant, backfill, firm gently, and water in thoroughly.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSpace plants about 3 feet apart for a groundcover effect.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMulch 2–3 inches with shredded bark, kept off the stems, to insulate roots and hold moisture.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ol\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWatering Moonshadow Wintercreeper in Minnesota\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eFirst Year Watering Schedule\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWeeks 1–2: water deeply every 2–3 days. Month 1–2: about twice a week. Month 3–6: roughly weekly during active growth, easing off when rainfall is adequate. \u003cstrong\u003eGive it a deep soak just before the ground freezes\u003c\/strong\u003e — broadleaf evergreens lose moisture through their leaves all winter, and going into freeze well-watered helps prevent winter burn.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eAfter Year One\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAn established Moonshadow is quite drought-tolerant, needing supplemental water mainly during extended dry spells. Continue the late-fall deep soak each year for winter protection.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWill Moonshadow Wintercreeper survive a Minnesota winter?\u003c\/strong\u003e In zone 5a, yes, especially in a sheltered spot. In colder, exposed zone-4b sites it's marginal — plant it out of harsh winter sun and wind, mulch well, water deeply before freeze, and count on reliable snow cover. Some leaf burn in a tough winter is normal and usually grows out in spring.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDoes it really stay evergreen here?\u003c\/strong\u003e Yes — it holds its gold-centered leaves year-round. Harsh winters can bronze or burn some foliage, but a well-sited plant rebounds in spring.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs it native to Minnesota?\u003c\/strong\u003e No — wintercreeper is native to Asia. It's vigorous and can root along the ground or climb, so plant it where you can keep it contained and trim as needed.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDoes it tolerate shade and clay?\u003c\/strong\u003e Yes to both, though the gold centers are brightest with more light.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAny pests to watch?\u003c\/strong\u003e Euonymus can get euonymus scale; keep plants healthy and watch for white specks on stems and leaf undersides, treating early if it appears.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eYou May Also Like\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCanadale Gold Wintercreeper\u003c\/strong\u003e — a gold-edged evergreen wintercreeper.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eGold Splash Wintercreeper\u003c\/strong\u003e — a brighter gold-variegated evergreen wintercreeper.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBlue Shadow Fothergilla\u003c\/strong\u003e — a blue-foliage shrub with spring flowers and brilliant fall color.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eJapanese White Spirea\u003c\/strong\u003e — a compact, easy white-flowered shrub.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePink Beauty Potentilla\u003c\/strong\u003e — a tough, long-blooming shrub for sunny spots.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c!-- tt-enriched --\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eHow Many Moonshadow Wintercreeper Do I Need?\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor groundcover or edging, use the body's own 3-foot spacing (it spreads 3–4 ft):\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003cthead\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eRun Length\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003ePlants Needed (3 ft spacing)\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\u003c\/thead\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e5 feet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e2–3 plants\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e10 feet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e4 plants\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e20 feet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e7–8 plants\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e30 feet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e11 plants\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor covering a bed or slope, figure roughly one plant per 9–10 square feet on a 3-foot grid; they knit together within a few seasons to suppress weeds.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eMoonshadow Wintercreeper Season-by-Season in Minnesota\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSpring:\u003c\/strong\u003e Glossy new growth flushes with the brightest gold-yellow centers of the year; any winter-burned foliage grows out quickly.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSummer:\u003c\/strong\u003e A dense, low gold-and-green mound or spreading carpet that smothers weeds and needs almost no attention.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFall:\u003c\/strong\u003e Holds every leaf while the rest of the bed shuts down — the glow gets more valuable as the season fades.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWinter:\u003c\/strong\u003e Keeps its gold-centered leaves year-round; expect some bronzing in a hard winter, with clean color returning in spring on a sheltered, snow-covered plant.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eAt a Glance\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e✔ Drought-Tolerant   ✔ Shade-Tolerant   ✔ Evergreen   ✔ Four-Season Interest\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003ePlant It With\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/canadale-gold-wintercreeper\"\u003eCanadale Gold Wintercreeper\u003c\/a\u003e — the gold-edged sibling from this plant's own pairing list; reverse patterns side by side.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/gold-splash-wintercreeper\"\u003eGold Splash Wintercreeper\u003c\/a\u003e — the boldest gold of the three for a graduated wintercreeper sweep.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/blue-shadow-fothergilla\"\u003eBlue Shadow Fothergilla\u003c\/a\u003e — powder-blue foliage and fiery fall color above the evergreen carpet.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/japanese-white-spirea\"\u003eJapanese White Spirea\u003c\/a\u003e — an easy white-flowered shrub the body recommends to float over the gold groundcover.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eIs Moonshadow Wintercreeper Right for Your Yard?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMoonshadow works where you need low, year-round color — sun or part shade, clay or urban soil, slopes and bed edges — and it's one of the few variegated evergreens that genuinely handles shade. It's not a fit for cold, exposed zone-4b sites without shelter or reliable snow cover: winter sun and wind will burn the foliage, so give it a protected spot and remember it can root and climb where stems touch, so keep it trimmed in bounds.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Three Timbers Minnesota","offers":[{"title":"#2 Gallon","offer_id":54230599827761,"sku":null,"price":50.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0986\/0694\/0465\/files\/Moonshadow_Wintercreeper_2.jpg?v=1779074410","url":"https:\/\/threetimbersmn.com\/products\/moonshadow-wintercreeper","provider":"Three Timbers Minnesota","version":"1.0","type":"link"}