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What’s this and how to reduce it

EmerionEmerion Posts: 599
in Plants
This low-growing (1’ish) evergreen was compact when we moved here 10 years ago. It’s now about 6’x4’. Can you tell me what it is, and what is the best way to reduce it without killing it? 
Carmarthenshire (mild, wet, windy). Loam over shale, very slightly sloping, so free draining. Mildly acidic or neutral.


Posts

  • AnniDAnniD Posts: 12,585
    I think it's a type of euonymus, but as to variety,  l'm not sure. I think they're pretty tough and can be cut back quite hard, but others will know for definite.
  • yorkshireroseyorkshirerose Posts: 574
    Looks like Euonymus fortunei 'Emerald Gaiety'. A very useful plant as it will grow on most aspects, and doesn't object to being pruned.
    It's a good evergreen to have in your garden as it maintains interest throughout the darker days of the year and also 'partners up' well with Spring/ Summer flowers and bulbs. Good in flower arranging too.
    A gardener's work is never at an end  - (John Evelyn 1620-1706)
  • EmerionEmerion Posts: 599
    I thought it might be that, but does euonymus emerald gaiety grow to only 1 foot high and several feet wide? I had thought it was more of a rounded shrub. 
    Carmarthenshire (mild, wet, windy). Loam over shale, very slightly sloping, so free draining. Mildly acidic or neutral.


  • yorkshireroseyorkshirerose Posts: 574
    This link may help you.
    https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/97545/Euonymus-fortunei-Emerald-Gaiety-(v)/Details
    A gardener's work is never at an end  - (John Evelyn 1620-1706)
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    I'd agree it's probably Emerald Gaiety, as it's one of the most commonly available.  :)
    They're very versatile, and will often grow vertically if against a wall or fence.
    They grow generally in a mound, but that's also dependent on how, or if,  they've been pruned, and your own growing conditions etc. 
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • Silver surferSilver surfer Posts: 4,719
    Euonymus fortunei 'Emerald Gaiety'.....An excellent dwarf shrub.
     Very tolerant of shade.
    Given support it will even climb.
    Always looks clear and fresh.
    Can be hard pruned.
    Perthshire. SCOTLAND .
  • EmerionEmerion Posts: 599
    Yes, that’s it, thank you. I have got another shrub, much the same foliage , but compact, about 2 foot x 2 foot, which I thought was euonymus emerald gaiety. Will that be another form of the variety, or something else?
    Carmarthenshire (mild, wet, windy). Loam over shale, very slightly sloping, so free draining. Mildly acidic or neutral.


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