I purchased early this summer 12 emerald and gold euonymous shrubs in six inch pots from Home Depot in Campell river bc. Planted then along a fence with a well dug hole ..opened root ball gently .. fertilized and planted . Covered garden area with landscaping fabric and mulch.. we watered regularly They seem to grow wonderfully.This fall about two weeks ago we noticed the leaves all falling off the original taller stems but we have healthy looking new growth and leaves all around the bottom. Is this normal ? They do not seem to have a bug? I am hoping they will continue to have the new growth grow larger. Please advise if this leaf falling is okay . Thank You.
Sometimes these will drop leaves. If you have new growth, then it will more than likely recover. It could be that they, either, received too much or too little water at some point. It is a good sign that there is new growth, however.
This plant has been neglected for years. Now it is bushy at the bottom with yellowing leaves then tall bare trunks and only green leaves at the top, no variegated yellow. Should I cut it back to below the bare trunks?
If you want it to return to the variegated foliage, then yes, prune back all the green-leaved branches as far back as possible and leave only the variegated ones to encourage them to grow. The green foliage will take over if not pruned back regularly. Here is more advice on pruning Euonyous:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/shrubs/burning-bush/pruning-burning-bush.htm
I would like to start a spindlewood tree from seeds and/or cuttings. Do I need to freeze the seeds and when should I start cuttings ?
It is much easier to start from cuttings, and to do this when it starts to warm up in spring. Take from the new growth for easier rooting. I will include an articlefor more on this subject here: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/trees/tgen/how-to-root-cuttings-from-various-shrubs-bushes-and-trees.htm
If you choose to do it from seed, it is necessary to know the steps to break its stubborn dormancy. This website explains how to do so: http://www.treeseedonline.com/store/p136/Spindle_Tree%2FCommon_Spindle_%28euonymus_europeaus%29.html
My yard man mistakenly cut my wintercreeper which was covering a steep bare bank. I cried! I'd had it for 40 years. Will it come back? The roots are still there.
You have nothing to worry about except finding a new yard man. Euonymus fortunei is considered an invasive groundcover. If you ever try to get rid of it, you'll discover the extensive root system. Put down a 2 inch layer of mulch to hold the soil in place over the winter. There is no need to remove it in spring. It will compost in place and will not hinder the regrowth of the wintercreeper.
LEAFS TURN BROWN AND DRY OUT THEN DROP OFF.BEEN IN GROUND FOR 12 YEARS NO PROBLEM, HAVE 16 PLANTS IN DIFFERENT AREA'S OF THE LOT ALL HAVE SUN.....NEED REMEDY
Is this one one plant or all of them? Can you include pictures, and more information about the area, and any changes that have happened recently?
Rabbits stripped all the lower branches of my euonymous hedge this winter and now leaves only grow at the crown instead of the whole bush. Should I wash the bare areas with soap and water, fertilize and trim the crown back to let the sun get the under branches going again? Can the hedge be restored?
Most euonymous will tolerate very heavy pruning. This can help to regenerate old shrubs. Some species are even considered highly invasive in certain areas.
I would recommend wiping the cut area with peroxide, instead of soap. This will leave no residue behind, as it will dissolve into, both, oxygen and water.
What is the life expectancy of these bushes?
I believe an eternity is pretty darn close. The Dept of Agriculture (US) lists its lifespan as 250 years.