The acid-green colour that surprises in spring belongs to spurge (Euphorbia), a genus of over 2300 species that can be perennial, annual, biennial or even shrub-sized. It grows fast enough for ground cover and its flowers cut well for bouquets, but the sap is poisonous: handle it only with gloves.
| Name | Euphorbia |
|---|---|
| Family | Euphorbiaceae |
| Type | perennial |
| Height | 6 to 8 inches (40 to 120 cm) |
| Exposure | full sun, part sun |
| Soil | ordinary |
| Flowering | spring, early summer |
| Foliage | evergreen or deciduous depending on the area |
It is surprising in spring for its out-of-this-world blooming. During the rest of the year, evergreen varieties are unique, too.
Planting spurge is best in fall to favor root development before winter and thus growing back in spring.
You can also plant it up to spring but avoid frost spells. If you’re planting in spring, you’ll need to remember to water more often over the 1st year.
Here are a few interesting and distinctive varieties.
Spurge varieties and recommended exposure
For dry, sunny locations, best plant Euphorbia characias or Euphorbia ‘Blackord’.
In places of light shade, prefer Euphorbia palustris or Marsh spurge, it loves cool ground.
If you know that it freezes during winter, even simple frost spells, Euphorbia griffithii can survive temperatures as cold as 5°F (-15°C).
Lastly, if easy care is important, go for Euphorbia amygdaloides var Robbiae.
Did you know the world-famous Poinsettia is a type of spurge?
Needs differ sharply from one species to the next, so the choice is really made on where you intend to put the plant. Here is how the varieties named in this article line up.
| Spurge | Best position | Why choose it |
|---|---|---|
| Euphorbia characias | Dry, sunny locations | Copes with heat and drought in full sun |
| Euphorbia ‘Blackord’ | Dry, sunny locations | The other pick for hot, dry ground |
| Euphorbia palustris (Marsh spurge) | Light shade | Loves cool ground |
| Euphorbia griffithii | Cold gardens with winter frost | Survives down to 5°F (-15°C) |
| Euphorbia amygdaloides var Robbiae | Anywhere easy care matters | The low-maintenance choice |
Check the label when you buy: each variety has its own preference for soil moisture and exposure.
It is perfectly possible to grow your spurges in a pot. It’s even a brilliant idea for your decks, patios and balconies.
Once it has settled in properly, spurge is considered an easy-going plant that only requires little care.
Detach flowers once they’ve wilted away, and protect your hands from sap because it will cause skin rashes.
Spurges don’t like being moved to different places, so try to think of the best place right off the bat when planting.
Spurge is a unique, original and cute perennial. It is subdivided into a great number of species: over 2300 have been accounted to this day. Practically the only thing they share in common is the sap which is highly irritant and poisonous.
The plant can be a perennial, an annual, a biennial and sometimes grows as big as a shrub.
It needs just the right climate to keep its leaves for all 4 seasons of the year.
It grows a lot, and quickly, which makes it adequate for ground cover.
If the acid green color of the plant surprises you in spring, you won’t be disappointed: all year long, this plant is remarkable whenever leaves can last that long.
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The flowers can be used in bouquets, they are very ornamental.
Whenever you must handle the plant, wear gloves because all parts of the plant are poisonous.
