Euphorbia characias subsp. wulfenii
spurge
This handsome euphorbia has upright stems clothed with whorls of fleshy, glaucous leaves and topped with huge heads of chartreuse-green flowers...
Adds excellent 'bones' to the herbaceous border, Mediterranean or gravelled area and is equally at home in a contemporary or traditional garden
Plant description
The Edwardian garden designer Gertrude Jekyll described this sun-loving, evergreen shrub as 'one of the grandest of plants'.
Euphorbia characias originates from the Mediterranean, where it is found on dry rocky slopes and scrubland, so it is very tolerant of drought once it becomes established. It forms a natural rounded shape, and brings structure and an architectural quality to the garden.
A tall mainstay of the traditional herbaceous border, it's equally at home in a contemporary minimalist or gravel garden. It may self-seed, but plants rarely come true from seed.
Eventual height & spread
Flowering period
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
Plant features
Position
Full sun
Rate of growth
Average
Soil
Moderately fertile, moist, well-drained soil
Hardiness
Fully hardy
How to care for Euphorbia characias subsp. wulfenii:
Water thoroughly during the initial establishment period, but once settled in, it prefers drier conditions and should only be watered sparingly. Avoid waterlogged soils, as they can lead to root rot.
Each stem is biennial, so will produce leaves in its first year and flower in its second. Once the stem has produced a flower it should be cut right back to its base, or to a point where there is new growth emerging, in midsummer. This will make way for lots of new, fresh shoots.
When working with spurges always wear gloves since the milky sap is poisonous and a potential skin irritant. Remove seedlings as they appear.
Warning
GOES WELL WITH
Mediterranean
Mediterranean gardens can take on various guises from the rustic and rambling to the formal elegance of an Italian courtyard. However, they all have key features in common, including the use of exotic, sometimes tender, drought-tolerant plants in pots and
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Hardy euphorbias, commonly known as spurges, make ideal plants for any gardener who rates themself as ‘keen but clueless’, yet a little bit adventurous. First and foremost they are excellent garden plants that can be used in the border and in containers,
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