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Growth Rate
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Moderate to fast spreader through short rhizomes.
Forms a dense mat of evergreen foliage up to 18 inches tall and 2–3 feet wide over time.
Excellent groundcover for shaded, dry areas.
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Colorful leaves
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Flowering
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Yes |
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Bloom Color
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Disease resistant
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Yes |
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Cold Tolerant
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Yes |
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Heat Tolerant
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Yes |
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Drought Tolerant
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Yes |
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Deer Resistant
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Yes |
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Edible
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No |
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Wildlife Attraction
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Highly attractive to bees and beneficial insects that feed on nectar-rich bracts.
Unappealing to deer and rabbits due to bitter sap.
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Self-pollinating
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Seasonality
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Main bloom period: Mid to late spring.
Evergreen foliage: Provides structure and color all year, even in winter shade.
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Ideal For
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– Groundcover for dry shade, woodland gardens, underplanting for trees and shrubs, borders, and low-maintenance naturalized areas |
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Leaf Description
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Evergreen, oval to lance-shaped leaves, deep glossy green with a leathery texture.
Forms tight rosettes that provide lush coverage even in winter.
New growth emerges lighter green before maturing to a deeper shade.
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Flower Description
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Clusters of bright lime-green to yellow-green bracts appear in spring (April–June), lasting for several weeks.
True flowers are tiny and enclosed within the showy bracts.
The chartreuse inflorescences stand above dark evergreen foliage for vivid contrast.
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Planting Instructions
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Choose a partially shaded to shaded location; this variety thrives especially well in dry shade under trees.
Prefers well-drained, moderately fertile soil — avoid soggy conditions which can cause root rot.
Dig a hole twice the width of the root ball and equal in depth; loosen surrounding soil to encourage spreading.
Place the crown level with soil surface, backfill, and water thoroughly.
Mulch lightly with bark or leaf mold to retain moisture and suppress weeds, keeping mulch away from the stems.
Space plants 18–24 inches apart to allow natural clump expansion over time.
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Pruning & Maintenance
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After flowering (late spring to early summer), cut back spent flower stems to the base — this promotes new leafy shoots.
Remove any old or damaged foliage in late winter.
Always wear gloves when pruning; Euphorbia sap is milky and can irritate skin or eyes.
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Water Needs
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Moderate during establishment, then low once mature.
Very drought tolerant once established, particularly in shaded sites.
Ensure soil is free-draining; overly wet soil causes crown rot.
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Light Needs
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Grows best in partial to full shade; tolerates morning sun but prefers protection from hot afternoon rays.
Excellent for dry shade conditions where few plants thrive.
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Harvesting
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Not a harvesting plant; not edible.
Produces small, round seed capsules that can self-sow lightly near the mother plant.
Seeds are not ornamental and are rarely collected intentionally.
Sap is toxic and irritant; handle with care.
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Fertilizing
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Requires minimal feeding; excessive nutrients can reduce its compact form.
Apply a light topdressing of compost or leaf mold in early spring to refresh soil nutrients.
Avoid heavy fertilizers—plants thrive in lean to moderately fertile soil.
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Pollination
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Flowers are insect-pollinated, primarily by bees and hoverflies.
Self-fertile, producing small capsules that can scatter seeds nearby (mild self-seeder).
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Companion Plants
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Woodland and shade perennials: Helleborus, Pulmonaria, Epimedium, Brunnera, and Heuchera.
Structural evergreens: Ferns, Liriope, and Carex varieties for textural contrast.
Spring bloom companions: Primula, Anemone nemorosa, or Tiarella for overlapping seasonal interest.
Design tip: Pair with variegated hostas or silver foliage plants like Lamium and Brunnera to emphasize its vivid lime-green bracts.
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