Spurge Euphorbia characias subsp. wulfenii
Other Common Name(s):
Other plants called Spurge:
- This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- Description
-
This is 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.
VIDEO created by Andy Pulte for “Landscape Plant Identification, Taxonomy and Morphology” a plant identification course offered by the Department of Plant Sciences, University of Tennessee.
- Profile Video:
- 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.
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-
Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Perennial
- Shrub
- Habit/Form:
- Clumping
- Dense
- Erect
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Medium
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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
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-
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.
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-
Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Green
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Form:
- Straight
- Stem Surface:
- Smooth (glabrous)
- Stem Description:
- Green stems with a milky sap
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-
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
