Alphabetical Plant Listing

Euphorbia myrsinites (Myrtle Spurge)

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

Not sure which Euphorbia - Spurges to pick?
Compare All Euphorbia - Spurges

Buy Euphorbia myrsinites (Myrtle Spurge)

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 Euphorbia - Spurges
Exposure Full Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Mid,Late)
Summer (Early)
Height 4" – 6" (10cm – 15cm)
Spread 1' – 2' (30cm – 60cm)
Spacing 20" (50cm)
Water Needs Low
Maintenance Low
Soil Type Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Well-Drained
Characteristics Plant of Merit, Showy, Evergreen
Tolerance Deer, Drought, Rabbit, Dry Soil, Rocky Soil, Salt
Garden Uses Beds and Borders, Edging, Ground Covers, Patio and Containers
Garden Styles Coastal Garden, Gravel and Rock Garden, Mediterranean Garden

Buy Plants

Great Plant Combination Ideas with Euphorbia - Spurges

Guides with Euphorbia - Spurges


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.


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 Euphorbia - Spurges
Exposure Full Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Mid,Late)
Summer (Early)
Height 4" – 6" (10cm – 15cm)
Spread 1' – 2' (30cm – 60cm)
Spacing 20" (50cm)
Water Needs Low
Maintenance Low
Soil Type Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Well-Drained
Characteristics Plant of Merit, Showy, Evergreen
Tolerance Deer, Drought, Rabbit, Dry Soil, Rocky Soil, Salt
Garden Uses Beds and Borders, Edging, Ground Covers, Patio and Containers
Garden Styles Coastal Garden, Gravel and Rock Garden, Mediterranean Garden

Great Plant Combination Ideas with Euphorbia - Spurges

Guides with Euphorbia - Spurges

Plant Calculator

How many Euphorbia myrsinites (Myrtle Spurge) do I need for my garden?

%
ft
ft

Your Shopping List

Plant Quantity
Euphorbia myrsinites (Myrtle Spurge)

Find your Hardiness Zone

Find your Climate Zone

Find your Heat Zone

Join Gardenia.net

Create a membership account to save your garden designs and to view them on any device.

Becoming a contributing member of Gardenia is easy and can be done in just a few minutes. If you provide us with your name, email address and the payment of a modest $25 annual membership fee, you will become a full member, enabling you to design and save up to 25 of your garden design ideas.

Join now and start creating your dream garden!

Create a New Collection

Optional. For your reference.


Move Selected Plants to a Different Collection


Delete Collection

This field is required.

Rename Collection

This field is required.