Euphorbia garden panting.
Euphorbia is a large genus of plants from woodland ground cover to desert succulents. But I will be describing a wide range of plants that will grow in a variety of conditions in Britain. There is probably a plant to suit all garden conditions and gardener tastes, here are a few to consider.
Euphorbia myrsinites
E. myrininties: A stunning creeping plant ideal for hot poor soils, reaching heights of 15cm. Long fleshy stems of small sliver grey fleshy leaves produced in a spiral. Evergreen. Fluffy heady of pea green flowers April to June. Full sun, well drained soil.
Euphorbia griffithii ‘Dixter’
E. griffithi’Great Dixter’: This is a deciduous Euphorbia which creeps and spreads, with great wow factor. 80/90cm tall red stems with swirls of green to orange/red leaves. With clusters of orange red flowers on the end of the stems from April-June. Full sun.
Euphorbia cyparissia ‘Fens Ruby’
E. cyarissia ‘Fens Ruby’: Spreading growth of frothy foliage from deep red in the spring darkening to deep burgundy. Lime green clustered flowers April-July. Part shade to full sun, good well drained soil.
Euphorbia characias ‘Burrow Sliver’
E. subsp. Charccias ‘Burrow Sliver’: Evergreen green with white variegation leaves in whirls on 1m tall stems, needs a warm position in full sun in good soil. Clusters of sulphur green flowers produced March to May.
Euphorbia characias ‘Black Pearl’
E. subsp. Charccias ‘Black Pearl’: Evergreen with stems up to 1m tall. Whirls of green grey foliage and pea green flowers with black centres from March to May. Good soil full sun.
Euphorbia amygdaloides ‘Purpurea
Euphobia amygdaloides ‘Purpurea’: A striking plant for semi-shade. Evergreen reach 30-45cm tall. Dark red stems with red dark green whirls of leaves and pea green flower clusters from April to May. Humus rich soil.
Euphorbias can make a stunning statement in the garden
Top Tip: Euphorbias are amazing and beautiful plants that hover in the sub-shrub group. They are not long lived and can get woody and can die in a harsh winter, but seed freely, so pot up the seedlings for replacement plants. Warning- the sap is phototropic and can cause blistering particularly on sunny days. Always garden with long sleeves and trousers and gloves to prevent sap getting on our skin.
Having said all of the above these quick growers, have many merits as valuable garden plants as dramatic foliage and evergreen winter interest and the sulphur green flowers are a wonderful foil to dramatic colourful tulips and Iris. So I urge you to add these versatile plants to your garden.