Dog's Mercury
Mercurialis perennis
Also listed as Mercurialis alpina, Mercurialis cynocrambe
Also known as Dog Mercury
Climate Match for your location
See how well Dog's Mercury grows in your area.
Enter your ZIP code and we'll show you how this plant fits your local climate.
A low-growing woodland perennial with oval leaves and tiny greenish flowers in early spring. Excellent groundcover for shaded areas under trees, though it can spread vigorously.
Why grow it
Dog's Mercury establishes quickly as a shade groundcover in woodland settings where many ornamental alternatives struggle, particularly under dense tree canopy with poor light. It tolerates heavy shade and competition better than most perennial groundcovers, making it useful for difficult sites. Unlike some shade groundcovers that require consistent moisture, Mercurialis perennis adapts to the drier conditions typical of established woodland floors.
Watch out for
This plant prefers consistently moist soil and may decline or thin in very dry shade. Where summer drought is extended, supplemental watering during establishment helps ensure reliable coverage. In gardens with competing vegetation, regular monitoring prevents it from being outcompeted by more vigorous neighbors in the first 1-2 seasons.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Euphorbiaceae
Native Range
Europe
Seasonality
Bloom Season
Season of Interest
Ground cover
Low spreading plants that carpet the soil.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Propagation
A low-growing woodland perennial with oval leaves and tiny greenish flowers in early spring. Excellent groundcover for shaded areas under trees, though it can spread vigorously.
Climate Match for your location
See how well Dog's Mercury grows in your area.
Enter your ZIP code and we'll show you how this plant fits your local climate.
Why grow it
Dog's Mercury establishes quickly as a shade groundcover in woodland settings where many ornamental alternatives struggle, particularly under dense tree canopy with poor light. It tolerates heavy shade and competition better than most perennial groundcovers, making it useful for difficult sites. Unlike some shade groundcovers that require consistent moisture, Mercurialis perennis adapts to the drier conditions typical of established woodland floors.
Watch out for
This plant prefers consistently moist soil and may decline or thin in very dry shade. Where summer drought is extended, supplemental watering during establishment helps ensure reliable coverage. In gardens with competing vegetation, regular monitoring prevents it from being outcompeted by more vigorous neighbors in the first 1-2 seasons.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Euphorbiaceae
Native Range
Europe
Seasonality
Bloom Season
Season of Interest
Ground cover
Low spreading plants that carpet the soil.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Propagation
Similar ground covers you might consider:
Enter your ZIP code to see top native species and strong climate fits for you.