Mercurialis perennis
dog's mercury
An herbaceous perennial with an upright, unbranched growth habit, reaching up to 40cm tall. It spreads vigorously through a creeping network of rhizomes, forming dense carpets on woodland floors. Its fresh-green, oval to spear-shaped leaves, up to 8cm long, have serrated edges and grow in opposite pairs along the stem. Male plants produce small, pale greenish-yellow flowers on slender spikes, while female plants bear less conspicuous flowers at the leaf junctions, blooming from February to April
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Size
Ultimate height
0.1–0.5 metresTime to ultimate height
1–2 yearsUltimate spread
0.1–0.5 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Green | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Green | Green | ||
| Autumn | Green | |||
| Winter |
Position
- Full shade
- Partial shade
Aspect
East–facing or North–facing
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered Hardiness
H5Botanical details
- Family
- Euphorbiaceae
- Native to GB / Ireland
- Yes
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Habit
- Matforming
- Potentially harmful
- Pets: Harmful if eaten. For further information and contact numbers regarding pets, see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants
- Name status
Correct
- Plant range
- Europe, N Africa, SW Asia
How to grow
Cultivation
Thrives in moist, shady gardens, woodlands and hedgerows
Propagation
Self-seeds freely
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Wildlife gardens
Pruning
No pruning required
Pests
Generally pest-free
Diseases
Generally disease-free
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