Helxine soleirolii - Corsican Creeper

The Helxine soleirolii, also known as Soleirolia soleirolii is an attractive semi-evergreen ground cover that resembles moss, and can effectively replace grass in lightly trodden areas, in cool shade where grass refuses to grow. This semi-hardy perennial blooms in summer, so discreetly that it only adorns its tiny intense green foliage with a slight pinkish hue. Usable both indoors and outdoors, helxine blends well with the decor of a Japanese garden and fills the base of veranda plants. A blessing for dark and humid gardens, as well as gardens subjected to urban pollution.

The Soleirolia soleirolii belongs, like the stinging nettle, to the family of urticaceae. It is a perennial plant with creeping rhizomes, native to Mediterranean islands (Corsica, Sardinia, Elba, Balearic Islands), where it populates damp and shaded areas near watercourses. This creeping plant has stems that root at each node, forming a soft and bright green, very shiny carpet, deciduous or semi-evergreen, not exceeding 5 cm (2in) in height, sometimes less when located in a moderately trodden area. It spreads rapidly to form a dense ground cover. Its tiny leaves are round, measuring from 5 to 15 mm (0 to 1in) in length and are alternately arranged on pinkish and villous stems. It shows tiny flowers no bigger than a pinhead, translucent, white with pink reflections in summer. The plant bears male flowers, insignificant, and female flowers with a pinkish hue, distinguishable when on all fours. The plant dies below -10°C (14°F), and its foliage withers from -5°C (23°F) onwards.

This practical ground cover grows where many other plants suffocate, in shade, in the polluted atmosphere of cities, but in humus-rich and fresh soil. It provides a good alternative to grass, tolerating trampling without problems, unless it is too intense. It is widely used in Japanese-style gardens, where it gives round stones a mossy appearance. It elegantly adorns the base of Japanese maples and heather plants. Helxine also carpets the edges of a water feature, finding the humid atmosphere it seeks. It also accompanies shaded and cool rock plants. Its shallow roots require little soil, allowing it to settle along a gravel or paved path, softening the geometric lines, filling the gaps with potting soil and fine sand. It is also capable of growing in the cracks of a shady wall, in a very rainy climate. On the terrace, it can be paired with fuchsias or begonias. With regular watering throughout the summer, it will develop long stems and form cascades of greenery overflowing from pots. Indoors, it covers the base of green or flowering plants. Finally, to brighten the base of a north-facing wall, it will keep company with bergenias, snowdrops, and sweet woodruff. It is a perfect plant for creative gardeners.