Creeping Spruge

Wed, 03/24/2010 - 10:12am — Kathy Ormiston

Photo Credit:

Vera Kark, PADG

Botanical Name:

Euphorbia myrsinites

Pronunciation:

(yew-FOR-bee-ah mur-sin-ee-teez)

Common Name:

Creeping Spurge

Plant Type:

Ground cover

Mature Size:

6 - 12 in. tall and 12 in. wide

Water Requirements:

Low: water every 3 weeks until the root ball is wet

Sun/Shade Requirements:

Full to half sun

Flower Color :

Yellow

Wildlife:

This plant is deer resistant

Euphorbia myrsinites has a wonderful texture as you can see from this picture. It makes a good ground cover for dry areas.

Like all the Euphorbias, these plants have very showy flowers in the spring. Be sure to cut off the flowering stalks to the base before seeds develop. These plants will reseed vigorously if you do not deadhead. When deadheading, be sure to leave the new growth intact. These will be next spring's flowers.

Take care when you cut Euphorbias. They have a sap, which can be very irritating to the skin.