Pseudanthus tasmanicus Radiance

The Pseudanthus tasmanicus 'Radiance' is an adorable ground cover, forming a carpet of round evergreen leaves, variegated with white and pink, on creeping stems. This colour intensifies in cold weather. Preferring slightly acidic, well-drained soils, it is best suited to mild climates as its hardiness does not exceed -7°C (19.4°F). However, it thrives in pots and hanging baskets, in full sun or partial shade.

The Pseudanthus is a small and rare genus that only grows in Australia and belongs to the equally unknown family of Picrodendraceae (previously classified among the Euphorbiaceae). The Pseudanthus tasmanicus, as its name suggests, originates from Tasmania - a southern island  of Australia - and forms a dense ground cover with interlaced long stems, bearing small round or slightly oval evergreen leaves that effectively prevent the growth of "weeds". Under optimal conditions, the clump can reach 50 cm (20in) in height and 1 m (3ft) in spread.

The 'Radiance' variety has a beautiful foliage irregularly variegated with white and pink, very graphic, on reddish-pink stems. This colouring has the particularity of intensifying as temperatures decrease. Its flowering, rather insignificant, occurs in March and April, in the form of small white stars.

The Pseudanthus 'Radiance' prefers a slightly acidic, moist but well-drained soil, in moderately strong sunlight or partial shade. Given its origins, its hardiness is not excellent: avoid temperatures below -6 / -7°C (19.4°F). If you are fortunate to live in an area with a mild climate, use the Pseudanthus as a ground cover for your borders, moist rockeries, or slopes. If your winters are harsher, you can use it in a pot or hanging basket, where it will be very attractive with its long trailing stems. Simply water it regularly and bring it indoors to a sheltered and bright location during winter.

It may be useful to lightly prune it at the end of summer to densify it and enhance its colour by promoting new shoots.

Pair it with other oceanic plants, such as a ground cover at the base of a Lomatia myricoides, a Tristaniopsis, or a Eucalyptus niphophila with beautiful grey and green bark. Create a colour contrast by placing it at the foot of the Japanese maple 'Asahi Zuru' or the Zelkova 'Goshiki', small trees that also have foliage variegated with white and pink.