Euphorbia

Lots of diversity with Euphorbia

When it comes to diversity, Euphorbia has to get the prize!  In its wild form, this plant has evolved to occupy a huge range of habitats in tropical, subtropical and temperate zones.  This has led to an exciting flourishing of forms, from tree-like succulents, through upright shrubs, to rounded shrubs, clump-forming perennials, dwarf succulents and prostrate semi-succulents.  It is reckoned to be one of the most diverse plant families in the entire kingdom of plants.

Exciting proposition

This makes it a really exciting proposition for gardeners who are looking to bring some renewed ‘zing’ to rock gardens, mixed or shrub borders or woodland gardens.  Whatever the situation, there will probably be a Euphorbia to fill it.  This selection will mostly appeal to gardeners looking for colour and interest in mid/late spring or early summer.

Euphorbia griffithii 'Fireglow'

If you are looking for some striking foliage from a perennial plant that also works well as ground cover, then why not try a Euphorbia griffithii ‘Fireglow’?  As the name suggests, the flower forms are intensely coloured orange-red to red and give the impression of flames springing from the leaves.  Ideal conditions are moist soils, rich in humus under light dappled shade. 

Euphorbia myrsinites

For an exotic-looking little star, try Euphorbia myrsinites – an evergreen perennial with succulent leaves that would look great in any rock garden.  Flower forms appear at the tips of the stems in spring and are bright greenish yellow.  It thrives in full sun in light soil and at only 10cm high, with a spread of 30cm, it delivers a lot of value for the space it needs.  Despite its looks, it is fully hardy.  

Euphorbia palustris

Euphorbia palustris is a robust perennial that produces long-lasting, deep yellow flower forms in late spring and can achieve a height and spread of 90cm.  This one needs permanently moist soil and a full sun position to achieve its best potential.

Euphorbia characias

For those with a moderate winter (not below -5oC) there is the wonderful option of Euphorbia characias, which originates in Portugal and the Mediterranean.  This one needs light, well drained soil in full sun, but if you can offer that, you will be rewarded by an amazing, upright, evergreen shrub of such an exotic appearance that you’ll believe you’ve emigrated! 

The dense cylindrical or spherical clusters of flower forms develop at the tips of the erect shoots and are a lovely yellow-green.  The subspecies wulfenii ‘John Tomlinson’ is particularly outstanding so do look out for it.

Spurge

Euphorbia is also known by the popular name ‘spurge’, this related to their former medicinal use as purgatives (‘spurge’ being a corruption of the middle English/old French ‘espurge’).  Of interest to the historically minded, when Linnaeus named this plant family in the eighteenth century, he derived the name from Euphorbus, the Greek physician who treated King Juba of Numidia’s swollen belly with resin from this plant.