Galax urceolata – Galax aphylla – Wandflower – Beetleweed –

Description

Galax – Wandflower – Beetleweed – There is a single species of a shade loving, tufted, evergreen perennial, in this genus. It occurs in open woodland in the mountains of Southeastern USA. It has a creeping rootstock, and tough, glossy, almost circular leaves with toothed edges. In spring or early summer it bears spike like racemes of small pure white flowers. Grow for its flowers and autumn bronzy sheen coloring. Suitable for underplanting in a shaded shrub border, for a large rock garden, or as a groundcover in a woodland garden. Grow in moist, acidic, humus rich soil in partial shade, ensure that the roots do not dry out. Will tolerate lime soils. Divide in early spring. Prone to anthracnose, sooty mold, and slugs and snails. G. urceolata – G. aphylla – This tufted, evergreen perennial from Southeastern USA grows 12-18″ tall and 36″ wide. It produces rounded, toothed, glossy, dark green leaves, to 3″ across, which are heart shaped at the bases. The leaves turn red-bronze in autumn. In late spring and early summer it bears narrow, upright, spike-like racemes, to 10″ long, of tiny. 5 lobed white flowers. Zones 5-8