WHILE autumn may produce the best results for the deciduous varieties of euonymus, such as E.

alatus, grown for its red autumn foliage, evergreen varieties of this shrub are invaluable, both to add all-year interest in the border and as a great contrasting feature in winter pots, alongside winter heathers, pansies and dwarf conifers.

Euonymus will grow in all sorts of soils in both sun and partial shade.

Variegated types are the most noticeable, including E.

japonicus ‘Aureopictus’, which has yellow leaves with a green rim and ‘Ovatus Aureus’, which has a yellow rim.

As well as making great ground cover plants, some types can be used as climbers, clinging like ivy, such as the silver-edged variety E. fortunei ‘Silver Queen’, which reaches up to 3m (10ft) against a wall, while other tall-growing specimens can be used for hedging.

Variegated types prefer full sun and little or no pruning is required, although you may have to give them a good trim in May and early autumn.