Growing Guide
 
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Spurge, Myrtle

Herbaceous Perennial Flower

Euphorbia myrsinites
Euphorbiaceae Family

Fleshy, blue-gray, evergreen leaves spiral up the trailing stems that bear bright yellow-green flowerheads from mid-spring to summer. Great for dry sites.

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Site Characteristics
Sunlight:
  • full sun

Soil conditions:

  • tolerates droughty soil
  • requires well-drained soil
  • tolerates low fertility

Hardiness zones:

  • 5 to 8

Special locations:

  • rock gardens
  • xeriscapes
Plant Traits

Lifecycle: perennial

Ease-of-care: moderately difficult

Height: 0.25 to 0.5 feet

Spread: 0.5 to 1.5 feet

Bloom time:

  • mid-spring
  • late spring

Flower color:

  • yellow
  • green

Showy yellow bracts.

Foliage color:

  • gray-green
  • blue-green

Bluish- to grayish-green.

Foliage texture: medium

Shape: low and trailing

Shape in flower: same as above

Blooms borne in dense heads at the tips of the trailing stems.

Special Considerations
Special characteristics:
  • aggressive - Self-seeds freely.
  • non-invasive
  • not native to North America - Native to Asia Minor, central Asia and eastern and southern Europe
  • evergreen - Foliage quality declines in cold winters, especially when exposed to wind.
Growing Information
How to plant:

Propagate by seed, cuttings, division or separation - Self-seeds prolifically if not deadheaded.

Make terminal cuttings after flowering is complete.

Divide very carefully in the spring.

Maintenance and care:
Remove spent flowers immediately to prevent self-seeding.

Allow evergreen foliage to remain for the winter.

Mulch in colder areas. Prefers a protected site for maximum hardiness.

More growing information: How to Grow Perennials

Pests:
Nematodes
Spider mites
Aphids
Mealybugs