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Euphorbia myrsinites (Myrtle Spurge)

Myrtle Spurge, Creeping Spurge, Donkey Tail Spurge, Broad-Leaved Glaucous Spurge

AGM Award
Euphorbia Myrsinites,Myrtle Spurge, Creeping Spurge, Donkey Tail Spurge, Broad-Leaved Glaucous Spurge, Yellow flowers, Drought tolerant perennial, Deer resistant perennial, rabbit resistant perennial

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 tolerantdeer 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.
     

Requirements

Hardiness 5 - 8
Heat Zones 5 - 10
Climate Zones 2A, 2B, 3, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
Plant Type Cactus & Succulents, Perennials
Plant Family Euphorbiaceae
Genus Euphorbia
Common names Myrtle Spurge
Exposure Full Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Mid, Late)
Summer (Early)
Height 4" - 6"
(10cm - 15cm)
Spread 1' - 2'
(30cm - 60cm)
Spacing 20" (50cm)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Low
Soil Type Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Well-Drained
Characteristics Plant of Merit, Showy, Evergreen
Tolerance Drought, Deer, Salt, Rabbit, Dry Soil, Rocky Soil
Garden Uses Beds And Borders, Edging, Ground Covers, Patio And Containers
Garden Styles Gravel and Rock Garden, Mediterranean Garden, Coastal Garden
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Alternative Plants to Consider

Euphorbia obesa (Baseball Plant)
Euphorbia resinifera (Resin Spurge)
Euphorbia mammillaris (Corncob Cactus)
Euphorbia xanti (Baja Spurge)
Euphorbia ceratocarpa (Sicily Spurge)
Euphorbia corollata (Flowering Spurge)

Recommended Companion Plants

Gaillardia x grandiflora ‘Arizona Sun’ (Blanket Flower)
Aubrieta deltoidea (Rock Cress)
Sedum telephium ‘Purple Emperor’ (Stonecrop)
Tulipa saxatilis ‘Lilac Wonder’ (Botanical Tulip)

Find In One of Our Guides or Gardens

A Low Care Border Idea for Your Rock Garden
Native Plant Alternatives to Euphorbia cyparissias (Cypress Spurge)
While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.
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Requirements

Hardiness 5 - 8
Heat Zones 5 - 10
Climate Zones 2A, 2B, 3, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
Plant Type Cactus & Succulents, Perennials
Plant Family Euphorbiaceae
Genus Euphorbia
Common names Myrtle Spurge
Exposure Full Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Mid, Late)
Summer (Early)
Height 4" - 6"
(10cm - 15cm)
Spread 1' - 2'
(30cm - 60cm)
Spacing 20" (50cm)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Low
Soil Type Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Well-Drained
Characteristics Plant of Merit, Showy, Evergreen
Tolerance Drought, Deer, Salt, Rabbit, Dry Soil, Rocky Soil
Garden Uses Beds And Borders, Edging, Ground Covers, Patio And Containers
Garden Styles Gravel and Rock Garden, Mediterranean Garden, Coastal Garden
How Many Plants
Do I Need?
Explore Great Plant Combination Ideas
Euphorbia (Spurge)
Guides with
Euphorbia (Spurge)
Not sure which Euphorbia (Spurge) to pick?
Compare Now

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