Spurge Euphorbia characias subsp. wulfenii
Other Common Name(s):
Other plants called Spurge:
- This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- Description
-
A subspecies of Euphorbia characias known for its shorter stature and more vivid colored flowers. It is a subshrub growing 2-3 feet tall and 1-2 feet wide. Spring flowers appear in large clusters with chartreuse cup-shaped flowers held above the foliage. The attractive blue-green leaves are arranged in a whorl and in warmer winter areas may stay evergreen. The stem exudes a milky sap when broken that can cause skin and eye irritation so be sure to wear gloves and eye protection. Cut the stems back after blooming. It will readily self-seed.
This plant is very sensitive to overwatering and may develop root rot in soils that do not drain well. It prefers a Mediterranean type climate and may have problems with hot humid weather. Good choice for drier, sunny sites, raised beds and xeriscape gardens. It can also be grown in containers.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Davidson County Demo Garden
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Jimmy Platt'
- 'Lampbrook Gold'
Yellower flowers - 'Shorty'
Compact plant
- 'Jimmy Platt'
- 'Jimmy Platt', 'Lampbrook Gold', 'Shorty'
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Jimmy Platt'
- 'Lampbrook Gold'
Yellower flowers - 'Shorty'
Compact plant
- 'Jimmy Platt'
- 'Jimmy Platt', 'Lampbrook Gold', 'Shorty'
- Tags:
-
-
Attributes:
- Genus:
- Euphorbia
- Species:
- characias
- Family:
- Euphorbiaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Southern Europe, Balkans, Eastern Turkey
- Dimensions:
- Height: 2 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 1 ft. 6 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
-
-
Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Perennial
- Shrub
- Habit/Form:
- Clumping
- Dense
- Erect
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Medium
-
-
Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Shallow Rocky
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Alkaline (>8.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 6b, 6a, 7b, 7a, 8b, 8a, 9b, 9a
-
-
Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Green
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Cyme
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Long Bloom Season
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Flower Shape:
- Cup
- Flower Petals:
- 4-5 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- Cyndrical clusters of greenish-yellow flowers held above the foliage appear in spring and are long-lasting. No true petals but has colorful cup-shaped bracts with purple nectar glands.
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-
Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Blue
- Green
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Whorled
- Leaf Shape:
- Linear
- Obovate
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- < 1 inch
- Leaf Description:
- Narrow blue-green leaves arranged in a whorled pattern up the stem. Up to 5 inches long.
-
-
Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Green
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Form:
- Straight
- Stem Surface:
- Smooth (glabrous)
- Stem Description:
- Green stems with a milky sap
-
-
Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Patio
- Rock Wall
- Slope/Bank
- Landscape Theme:
- Drought Tolerant Garden
- Rock Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Small groups
- Specimen
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
- Drought
- Dry Soil
- Rabbits
