Plant types

Plant styles

Planting conditions

Seasonal interest

Nurseries & Gardens

Photo by VoDeTan2Dericks-Tan

This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 license.

Show all photos

Polygala chamaebuxus 'Grandiflora'

Also Known As

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

Plant type

shrub, groundcover

size

H: 6"-8"
W: 16"-36"

planting zones

4a-9b

More Options

Polygala chamaebuxus 'Grandiflora' plant details

Polygala chamaebuxus 'Grandiflora' is a low-growing broadleaf evergreen groundcover shrub with green foliage. In spring and winter magenta, pink, purple and yellow flowers emerge. Attracts bees making it an excellent addition to pollinator gardens. Grows well with sun - dappled shade and even moisture - low water. Drought tolerant once established. Prefers to be dry in summer. Does well in average, gritty, rocky and well-drained soil.

CHARACTERISTICS OF Polygala chamaebuxus 'Grandiflora'

Plant type: groundcover shrub
Plant family: polygalaceae
Foliage: evergreen green
Mature size: 16 IN - 36 IN - wide, 6 IN - 8 IN - tall
Flowers: magenta, pink, purple and yellow blooms in spring and winter
Uses: container plant, easy-to-grow, edging plant, long-blooming, rock garden, showy, woodland garden, year round interest

GROWING CONDITIONS for Polygala chamaebuxus 'Grandiflora'

USDA Zones: 4a - 9b
Sun exposure: sun - dappled shade
Watering frequency: even moisture - low

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

Nursery contributed plant descriptions

Mat forming evergreen subshrub from the Alps, 2-4(6)” tall, expanding to 18-24”; dark green foliage topped with pea-ish magenta flowers with bright yellow tips March thru May, very cheery! Prefers moisture retentive but free draining soils, sun to part shade, dislikes heat & humidity. Glows in the rock garden and loves the beach! Deer resistant.

By: Secret Garden Growers

Violet-pink and yellow pea-like flowers cover the surface of a tidy mat of evergreen boxwood-like leaves in early spring. Thereafter it freely reblooms, though less, but each time a lovely surprise. Very dense, it suppresses weeds completely and so makes the perfect, non-marauding ground cover. Minimum temperature: -10 °F

By: Dancing Oaks Nursery

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 magenta wings. 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

This native of the Alps is one of the premier little shrublets in the world and we are very pleased to pass a few along. Slow growing evergreen spreader with profuse pea-like flowers with purple-pink wings and a yellow keel reminding me somehow of candy corn when I was a kid. Moist, well-drained.