Euphorbia amygdaloides subsp. robbiae

Wood Spurge, is a herbaceous, perennial, fast-growing evergreen shrub with a brilliant yellow/green bloom in the Spring. It is bushy and compact and typically grows in an upright rounded mound to 12 to 20 inches tall. The plant is rhizomatous (i.e., producing new plants from underground runners) and is often used as a ground cover. When planting, space the plants 18 inches apart to prevent overcrowding.

Wood Spurge grows best in dry to medium, loose, well-drained soils in full sun to partial shade. If the soil is wet, especially in winter, the plant can die. It prefers afternoon shade if your site includes hot summer days, but if there is too much shade, the attractively shaped clumps can open up. Wood Spurge tolerates poor soils, including rocky-sandy ones.

Wood Spurge will self-seed in the garden unless spent flowers are deadheaded before the flowers set seeds.

The subspecies robbiae, commonly known as Mrs. Robb’s Hatbox, differs from Euphorbia amygdaloides subsp. amyglaoides by having broader, dark green leaves in rosettes with a more rapid rhizomatous spread. The rapid spread makes this subspecies an excellent ground cover, but it can spread too much and outgrow the space allotted to it. 

Diseases, Insects, and Other Plant Problems:

A native of Mediterranean-type climates, the plant may show stress in hot and humid summers. No serious insect or disease problems. Use gloves when working with this plant to avoid contact with the toxic sap that can irritate skin.

VIDEO Created by Elisabeth Meyer for "Houseplants, Succulents, and Cacti", a plant identification course offered in partnership with Longwood Gardens.

More information on Euphorbia.