Euphorbia myrsinites (Myrtle Spurge)

Noted for its season-long interest, Euphorbia myrsinites, commonly called Myrtle Spurge is an evergreen, succulent perennial with sprawling stems of fleshy, blue-green leaves in close spirals. Through the spring months, it produces eye-catching clusters, 4 in. wide (10 cm), of star-shaped yellow-green flowers within a collar of chartreuse to bright yellow bracts, sometimes suffused with pink. Depending on where you live, it is regarded as a great garden plant or a horrible pest. In the UK, it has been granted the Royal Horticulture Society’s Award of Garden Merit, however, it is considered a noxious weed in several western US states and should not be planted in those areas.

• Typically grows up to 4-6 in. tall (10-15 cm) and spreads up to 18 in. wide (45 cm)
• Recipient of the prestigious Award of Garden Merit of the Royal Horticultural Society for its outstanding qualities
• Remaining attractive during all its growing season, this remarkable plant is resilient to most pests and diseases, is salt tolerant, deer or rabbit resistant and is easy to care for.
• Performs best in full sun in dry, well-drained soils. It is drought tolerant and does well in poor, rocky soil.
• Perfect addition to beds, borders, rock gardens or Mediterranean Gardens. Because of its low stature, it is great as a sprawling ground cover in the front of the border or as an edging plant. It could even be used alone in terracotta pots or as a trailer in mixed containers for its interesting blue foliage.
• Propagate by seed or division.
• Self-seeds freely if not deadheaded. Cut off old stems to the base when the flowers start to fade to prevent reseeding and to keep the plants more compact and tidy.
• Native to southeastern Europe and Asia Minor.
• All parts of the plant are highly toxic if ingested. The milky sap may cause irritation to skin and eyes.