The native cypress spurge gets its name from its fine, needle-like foliage, which resembles conifer seedlings and looks incredibly decorative when paired with other stress-tolerant sun-loving perennials. The ‘Fens Ruby’ cultivar also delights with its gorgeous red spring foliage, which contrasts beautifully with the lime-green flower clusters. The countless spring blooms have a sweet, honey-like scent and offer a bountiful feast for pollinators. In sunny, barren garden locations, the species spreads vigorously through a network of fast-growing root runners. That’s why I always pair this spring gem with other hardy rock garden perennials, such as Geranium macrorrhizum, tall sedum, and white asphodel (Asphodelus albus).
