Description
Paxistima – Pachystima – Mountain Lover –
There are 2 low growing species of evergreen shrubs in this genus. They occur in rocky sites on mountains and in coniferous woodland in North America. It has corky bark. They are grown for their small, simple, opposite, linear to oval sometimes finely toothed, leathery leaves. Tiny cross shaped, 4 petaled, greenish white or red tinted white flowers, held single or in axillary clusters are borne in spring and summer, followed by tiny, 2 valved seed capsules. Grow as a ground cover in a woodland or rock garden, can be used as a low hedge.
Grow these easily cultivated plants in any moderate fertile, humus rich, moist but well drained soil in full sun or part shade.
P. canbyi – Canbya paxistima – Pachystima canbyi – Cliff Green – Ratstripper – This spreading, evergreen, stem rooting shrub from Central North America grows 12-16″ tall and 3-5′ feet wide. It produces stalkless, linear-oblong, sometimes finely toothed,, glossy, dark green leaves, to 3/4″ long, with incurved edges. In spring and summer it bears short, pendent cluster of greenish white flowers, 1/4″ across. Great for coastal gardens.
Zones 3-7
