Golden Acre Home & Garden Centre's Plant Library

Other Names:  Bolax glebaria

Description:

A uniform evergreen groundcover that forms a dense cushion of glossy, small dark green lobed leaves; produces small clusters of yellow flowers in summer; must have good drainage; great for rock gardens, alpine troughs, or in paving cracks

Ornamental Features

Cushion Bolax has masses of beautiful clusters of yellow flowers held atop the stems from early to mid summer, which are most effective when planted in groupings. Its attractive tiny glossy lobed leaves remain dark green in colour throughout the year.

Landscape Attributes

Cushion Bolax is a dense herbaceous evergreen perennial with a ground-hugging habit of growth. It brings an extremely fine and delicate texture to the garden composition and should be used to full effect.

This is a relatively low maintenance plant, and may require the occasional pruning to look its best. It is a good choice for attracting bees and butterflies to your yard, but is not particularly attractive to deer who tend to leave it alone in favor of tastier treats. It has no significant negative characteristics.

Cushion Bolax is recommended for the following landscape applications;

• Mass Planting
• Rock/Alpine Gardens
• Border Edging
• Groundcover
• Container Planting

Planting & Growing

Cushion Bolax will grow to be only 2 inches tall at maturity, with a spread of 24 inches. Its foliage tends to remain low and dense right to the ground. It grows at a slow rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for approximately 10 years. As an evegreen perennial, this plant will typically keep its form and foliage year-round.

This plant does best in full sun to partial shade. It prefers dry to average moisture levels with very well-drained soil, and will often die in standing water. It is not particular as to soil type or pH. It is somewhat tolerant of urban pollution. This species is not originally from North America. It can be propagated by division.

Cushion Bolax is a fine choice for the garden, but it is also a good selection for planting in outdoor pots and containers. Because of its spreading habit of growth, it is ideally suited for use as a 'spiller' in the 'spiller-thriller-filler' container combination; plant it near the edges where it can spill gracefully over the pot. Note that when growing plants in outdoor containers and baskets, they may require more frequent waterings than they would in the yard or garden. Be aware that in our climate, most plants cannot be expected to survive the winter if left in containers outdoors, and this plant is no exception. Contact our experts for more information on how to protect it over the winter months.