Plant types

Plant styles

Planting conditions

Seasonal interest

Nurseries & Gardens

Photo by Dancing Oaks Nursery

Show all photos

Polygala chamaebuxus

Also Known As

Polygaloides chamaebuxus
Milkwort
Shrubby Milkwort

Plant type

perennial, groundcover

size

H: 8"-10"
W: 16"-48"

planting zones

4a-9b

More Options

Polygala chamaebuxus plant details

Polygala chamaebuxus is a broadleaf evergreen perennial groundcover with green foliage. In spring and winter orange, white and yellow flowers emerge. Grows well with sun - mostly sun and regular - low water. Drought tolerant once established. Does well in average, gritty, rocky and well-drained soil.

CHARACTERISTICS OF Polygala chamaebuxus

Plant type: perennial groundcover
Plant family: polygalaceae
Foliage: evergreen green
Mature size: 16 IN - 48 IN - wide, 8 IN - 10 IN - tall
Flowers: orange, white and yellow blooms in spring and winter
Uses: long-blooming, winter interest, year round interest

GROWING CONDITIONS for Polygala chamaebuxus

USDA Zones: 4a - 9b
Sun exposure: sun - mostly sun
Watering frequency: regular - low

Soil needs: average, gritty, rocky and well-drained

Nursery contributed plant descriptions

Polygala chamaebuxus, known as shrubby milkwort is an adorable, low-growing evergreen alpine plant with fragrant magenta, pea-like flowers with yellow centres. Blooms in late winter to early spring, and sporadically throughout the summer. Prefers evenly moist, humusy, and gritty soils that are free-draining.

By: Phoenix Perennials and Specialty Plants Ltd.

Dense carpet of small, pointed evergreen foliage 2-3” tall, slowly spreading to 2’…literally covered with bright bi-colored electric yellow and white lipped flowers starting as early as mid January and as late as April. The flowers gain a red-orange hue as they age. Stunning queen of the early garden for us. Needs well drained soil (good in the rockery), sun to light shade…prefers cool peaty soil and dislikes heat. In alpine meadows, cows grazing on this subshrub reputedly have increased milk productivity (breast feeding moms, do not try this at home).

By: Secret Garden Growers

Perhaps more robust than 'Kamniski', the species has cream and canary-yellow profuse small pea-blossom flowers that bloom November to March and sporadically thereafter if watered. It makes a very dense evergreen mound, successfully suppressing weeds. You might end up wanting it everywhere! And it always looks good! Drought-tolerant too, but thrives with water! And another thing, it has a pretty wax candle scent. What's not to like, I ask you? 10" tall mound with a spread of up to several feet under optimal conditions.Minimum temperature: -10 °F

By: Dancing Oaks Nursery

This is the yellow and white flowered version of chamaebuxus it is a suckering subshrub about 6? high and spreading to a foot or more wide. Native to Western Europe on rocky mountain slopes and grassland and tolerating open woods. ZONE 4

By: Arrowhead Alpines

A much underused and unknown native of the Alps, growing along with trumpet gentians in open meadows. The pea-like flowers are composed of bright yellow lips and creamy-white wings. The lips will turn orange to crimson as the flowers age. Grows as a low, slow spreading shrub with leathery, evergreen foliage, which is much like boxwood except narrower and pointy. Likes the same conditions as trumpet gentians; full sun to light shade in well drained soil. Drought tolerant once established but does like summer moisture.

By: Edelweiss Perennials

Standard bearer of the family Polygalaceae, this high montane to sub-alpine native of the Alps is thrilled to live the good life overseas at sea level. A good well-drained soil that stays reasonably moist and this hardy evergreen petite shrublet will respond with loads of spring white and yellow flowers. 8"x16" - moist to average - Mar-May - Z4 - sun/pt sun

By: Far Reaches Farm

Garden photo gallery of Polygala chamaebuxus

Photo of Polygala chamaebuxus flower, foliage by Dancing Oaks Nursery

View Full Size

By: Dancing Oaks Nursery

View Original Photo

Photo of Polygala chamaebuxus flower by Secret Garden Growers

View Full Size

By: Secret Garden Growers

View Original Photo

Gardening facts about Polygala chamaebuxus plant

How to Grow Polygala chamaebuxus

Sun Exposure
- sun - mostly sun
Water Needs
- regular - drought tolerant
Soil Needs
- average
- well-drained
- rocky
- gritty

Features

Foliage Color
- green
Flower Color
- white
- orange
- yellow
Flower Season
- winter
- spring
Foliage Season
- evergreen

Landscape groups by tags

See other plant types of Polygala for your garden

Polygala chamaebuxus 'Grandiflora'

aka Polygala chamaebuxus 'Purpurea', Polygala chamaebuxus 'Rhodoptera', Polygala chamaebuxus var. grandiflora, Polygaloides chamaebuxus 'Grandiflora', Bastard Box, Box-leaved Milkwort, Creeping Milkwort, Purpurea Milkwort, Shrubby Milkwort