Euphorbia myrsinites

Originally from Southern Europe, Northern Africa and Central Asia. Radiating from a central point, their prostrate stems are clothed in waxed blue leaves, each terminating in a large head of lime-green flowers in early spring, but its the foliage that is the star. A bit splayed and less gripping in late summer, it is magnificent in winter. Seeds prolifically in poor soils. Not so much or never in my mulched but dry garden of native brooms and  hebes. So why not plant poppies or Glaucium, the horned poppy, with it? They will do their thing and be interesting in summer. Harmful if eaten. Skin and eye irritant. The photo is from Beth Chatto and I was lucky enough to see  it used so well in the gravel garden too. All the planting is quite inspirational there. Hardy and drought tolerant.