Muehlenbeckia axillaris

Muehlenbeckia axillaris, a close relative of Muehlenbeckia complexa (a beautiful New Zealand climbing plant), prefers to spread on the ground of rockeries or hang as light curtains in basins and hanging baskets on a patio. Its slender stems are covered with small square leaves that persist more or less in winter, quickly forming an effective ground cover in the garden to limit the spread of weeds. Easy to grow in mild climates, extremely versatile and adaptable, this unusual bush is perfect for adorning the base of trees or shrubs in dry climates. In more humid regions, it beautifully decorates a sunny rockery or a vegetated wall, stabilises an unattractive slope, or trains on a trellis.

Muehlenbeckia axillaris (synonym Pseudanthus tasmanicus) is a plant from the Polygonaceae family, a cousin of sorrel and knotweed. It is native to Tasmania, Australia, and New Zealand. In this dioecious bush, there are plants that bear fertile female flowers distinct from those that bear male flowers. Its foliage persists until -6°C (21.2°F) in winter. Its stems can be destroyed by frost, but the stump regenerates vigorously in spring until -10°C (14°F) in well-drained soil.

It tolerates relatively dry and well-drained soil, and withstands wind and sea spray. This bush has a low and creeping habit. It develops long, reddish-brown to blackish stems, covered with hairs that can root upon contact with the ground. Its growth is rapid, quickly forming a carpet 10 to 20cm (4 to 8in) tall and 2m (7ft) in diameter. Its foliage consists of tiny leaves a few millimetres long, almost square in shape, and arranged alternately along the branches. They are slightly glossy, bright green and rather light, sometimes edged with reddish tones. Flowering occurs in July-August in our climates. The flowers are tiny, gathered in clusters of 2 to 4 units measuring less than 1cm (1in) in diameter. Their colour is greenish, white, or white-pink.

The main advantage of Muehlenbeckia axillaris is undoubtedly its versatility: it can be planted both in the ground in mild regions, and in pots or hanging baskets to decorate a patio or balcony. It is a carefree plant that finds its place and thrives among other plants, as ground cover in rockeries, under shrubs and trees whose root competition it tolerates, alone or with other plants. Plant with small spring bulbs (crocuses, narcissus, botanical tulips, and hyacinths) to bring some colour to the garden or flowering pots. It can also be placed above low walls, for example with creeping rosemary, aubrietas, and wall bellflowers. It forms a very green carpet that enhances all its neighbouring perennial or shrubby plants, while preventing the proliferation of weeds. It is also useful for stabilising slopes, along with periwinkles, Algerian ivy, and creeping junipers, for example.