Euphorbia mellifera

honey spurge

• Position: full sun or partial shade
• Soil: light, well-drained garden soil
• Rate of growth: fast growing
• Flowering period: May to June
• Hardiness: frost hardy (needs winter protection in cold areas)
  
  A magnificent, large euphorbia that really makes a dramatic statement in the garden. It has stiff stems strung with whorls of bright green leaves with a white stripe down the centre and topped, in early summer, with small, honey-scented, bronze-tinted flowers. This evergreen shrub is grown as much for its foliage as its deliciously scented flowers and will thrive in a sheltered, sunny spot. It forms a natural dome shape, and gives structure and an architectual quality to the garden. Or try it as part of an exotic scheme; the luminous-green leaves look great with large-leafed plants.
  

• Garden care: In autumn cut back the faded flower stems, avoiding new ones. When working with spurges always wear gloves since the milky sap is poisonous and a potential skin irritant. Remove unwanted seedlings each spring as part of routine border maintenance.