Ask the Expert: I can’t identify this perennial, please help!

It is evergreen and a low ground cover in winter.  In the spring it grows
up to 18 inches and has a yellow flower.  It spreads like crazy and
transplants well.  It’s mostly in the shade where it is very moist.  Any
clues?? Besty

Reply:

Euphorbia Poly Chroma Midas - Image From Erv Evans NC State University

It could be a Euphorbia polychroma.  I found the picture to the left on a NC State University page about Euphorbia.  The photo was taken by Erv Evans, a consumer Horticulturist.  This plant is also known as Cushion Spurge.  Does it look similar to what you have?  This plant can take full sun or part shade.  It does have a more mounding shape when it is blooming.  The foliage has a reddish tinge in the fall.

Lamium galeobdolon - image from NC State University Erv Evans

Another option is the Lamium galeobdolon sometimes referred to as Yellow Archangel.  I found a picture of it on the NC State University page that discusses the Golden Dead Nettle (which is another name for this plant). This is a  perennial that creeps on the ground, produces yellow blooms and likes moist areas. We grow a different species of Lamium at our nursery.  It lays real flat until it starts to bloom.

Hopefully one of these plants match what you have in your garden.  If not send me a picture and I will give it another try.

Hypericum St John's Wort

Here is one of the pictures Betsy sent.  After looking at them, I think it is a form of Hypericum also known as St John’s Wort.  There are many different types of St John’s Wort so I’m not sure which one it is.  When it blooms we might be able to tell from the flower.  Since it likes the shade and a moist condition it might be Hypericum calycinum (which is called Aaron’s beard).