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Paxistima myrsinites

Also Known As

Mountain Lover
Oregon Boxleaf

Plant type

shrub, perennial

size

H: 1'-3'
W: 3'-6'

planting zones

3a-8b

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Paxistima myrsinites plant details

Paxistima myrsinites is a broadleaf evergreen perennial shrub with green foliage. In spring and summer red flowers emerge. Grows well with sun - mostly shade and regular - low water. Does well in well-drained soil.

CHARACTERISTICS OF Paxistima myrsinites

Plant type: perennial shrub
Plant family: celastraceae
Foliage: evergreen green
Mature size: 3 FT - 6 FT - wide, 1 FT - 3 FT - tall
Flowers: red blooms in spring and summer

GROWING CONDITIONS for Paxistima myrsinites

USDA Zones: 3a - 8b
Sun exposure: sun - mostly shade
Watering frequency: regular - low

Soil needs: well-drained

Nursery contributed plant descriptions

Evergreen shrub, glossy dark green foliage, small red blooms in spring Zone 3-9. 2'-3', PNW, part shade-sun, moist-dry, well drained

By: Keeping it Green Nursery

Looking a bit like a miniature Boxwood, Mountain Lover hugs the ground but can also grow over a foot tall with slender branches up to 2' long. Tiny, leathery, slightly toothed evergreen leaves are light green when young, maturing to deep, rich green. Tiny red tubular blooms are red with flared petals and 1-3 are tucked into the leaf axils.

By: Lazy S'S Farm Nursery

Mountain boxwood is native to drier montane areas of the Pacific Northwest, where it is found on rocky outcrops and in drier, open forests. It somewhat resembles Lonicera pileata, but it is more delicate in appearance, though much tougher in its tolerance of difficult conditions. Closely related to Azara, that Chilean cult classic from the glory days of Heronswood. [If this plant were from Chile instead of the Pacific Northwest, mail order nurseries would charge at least three times as much as my price for it.] Hardy to about -20 °F.

By: The Desert Northwest

A low evergreen native. It grows prostrate to 3' high, with dark, leathery leaves 1" across and tiny red flowers. Provides year-round greenery with little to no watering and care. Found on dry, rocky slopes from the Rocky Mountains to the Pacific Coast. Sun to partial shade.