General Culture:

Best grown in dry, well-drained soils in full sun. Quite tolerant of poor soils, including rocky, sandy ones. Freely self-seeds. Promptly remove spent flowers to prevent any unwanted self-seeding. Evergreen, but foliage decline usually occurs in cold winter climates, especially when exposed to wind. Tends to be shorter lived in warm winter climates.

Noteworthy Characteristics:

This spurge species (sometimes commonly called myrtle euphorbia or donkeytail spurge) is an evergreen perennial which typically grows 4-8" tall on ascending to trailing stems rising at the tips. Stems grow from a prostrate woody base. Oval, blue-green, fleshy, succulent-like leaves are arranged in close spirals around the stems. Non-showy greenish flowers subtended by showy yellow bracts bloom in spring. Species name is in reference to the purported similarity of this plant to plants in the genus Myrsine.

Problems:

No serious insect or disease problems.

Uses:

Border fronts. Rock gardens. Sprawl over stone walls.

© Missouri Botanical Garden, 2001-2009