Euphorbia: Spurge
One of the most dramatic plants for your garden, Euphorbia offers a diversity of height, form, color, and habit.
Plant care & info
Family: Euphorbiaceae
Genus: Euphorbia
Common Name: Spurge, Euphorbia
Southwestern Asia, Britain, Europe, Mediterranean.
Most prefer full sun, and light, well-drained soil. Others prefer moist, humus-rich soil in part shade or permanently moist soil in full sun.
Collar rot can occur when Euphorbia is planted in soil that remains too moist. In addition, some kinds of Euphorbia are susceptible to powdery mildew. Otherwise, Euphorbia are generally pest free.
Most Euphorbia resent transplanting, but are otherwise easy to maintain. After flowering, the dead stems should be cut back to the area of new growth. Tidying the plant will promote more growth to occur.
Again, it is extremely important to wear protective gloves when working with Euphorbia. Their white sap is a skin irritant and can be poisonous if ingested.
Deer resistant, drought tolerant.
Depending on the species or cultivar, Euphorbia can propagate by seeding, division or cuttings.
The genus is expansive, including more than 2,000 species of herbaceous perennials, annuals, and biennials—as well as evergreen and deciduous shrubs and trees. There are many perennial varieties here in the Pacific Northwest.
Spurges come in a variety of sizes ranging from the 4-5′ Euphorbia characais ‘Wulfenii’ to the 12-18″ ground cover Euphorbia polychroma. These versatile perennials can be used as specimen plants and mass plantings, as well as in borders, containers, and rock gardens. Their mostly evergreen nature and drought tolerance make them particularly useful for hot, dry areas.
It is important to note, Euphorbias ooze a white sap when cut or broken. This sap is toxic to the skin and eyes, so it’s important to wear gloves and eye protection when working with Euphorbia. Since Euphorbia are toxic when ingested, they are deer resistant.
Some Euphorbia prolifically self-seed. For example, Euphorbia myrsinites (donkey tail spurge) reseeds so severely it is on the Oregon noxious weed list and cannot be carried by local nurseries.
Explore More Euphorbia
Wulfenii
Euphorbia characais ‘Wulfenii’
Evergreen, blue-green foliage. Huge chartreuse blooms from March to June. Grows 4’+ tall and wide. Reseeds prolifically. Zones 6-11.
Ascot Rainbow
Euphorbia x martinii ‘Ascot Rainbow’
Stunning tricolor foliage, colors intensify in cold weather. Creamy flowers marbled with green March to May. Grows 24-36″ tall by 18-24″ wide. Zones 5-9.
Redwing
Euphorbia x martinii ‘Redwing’
Evergreen, growing 20″ tall by 20″ wide. Blue-grey foliage, with contrasting deep red flower buds in late winter. Gold blooms in March through April. Zones 6-11.
Blackbird
Euphorbia ‘Blackbird’
Distinctive, dark-purple evergreen foliage topped by yellow-green flowers from March to May. Compact form growing 18-22″ tall and wide. Zones 6-9.
Shorty
Euphorbia ‘Shorty’
Compact, sturdy form, growing to only 18″ tall and wide. Evergreen blue-green foliage with chartreuse flowers from March to May. Great in pots or at the front of the border. Zone 7.
Glacier Blue
Euphorbia ‘Glacier Blue’
Compact growing 12-15″ tall by 15″ wide. Lovely cream-edged blue green foliage and flower bracts in March to May. Zones 7-9.
Bonfire
Euphorbia polychroma ‘Bonfire’
A deciduous, low growing Euphorbia reaching 24″ tall and wide. Deciduous with stunning burgundy foliage. Bright yellow bracts May to June. Zones 7-11.
Rigida
Euphorbia rigida
Distinctively pointed, blue evergreen foliage. Apple green blooms from March to May. Grows 18-24″ tall and wide with a relaxed, sweeping habit. Zone 8.
