Euphorbia hypericifolia Breathless™ Group
Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- yoo-FOR-bee-uh hy-PER-ee-see-FOH-lee-uh
- This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- Description
-
The Breathless™ Euphorbias are hybrid perennials or annuals in the spurge family (Euphorbiaceae) and are from the species, Euphorbia hypericifolia or graceful spurge. They grow quickly to 8 to 20 inches tall with a 20 to 24-inch spread with a compact mounding habit.
Plant in full sun to partial shade in well-drained soil. They are quite drought and heat-tolerant once established and are resistant to browsing by deer and rabbits. These low-maintenance plants require no deadheading to enjoy a long bloom season. Pinch to encourage a bushy habit especially if they are grown in containers.
This series of plants differs from the species by having dark green leaves that have an interesting flush of red. The flowers are quite tiny but the showy white or pink-flushed bracts surrounding them last for a long bloom season from spring until the first frost.
Plant these groundcovers to fill in around perennials and shrubs, in containers as a filler, in border fronts and in cottage or drought-tolerant gardens. Use in a fairy garden, plant in hanging baskets or use along a walkway. They can even be grown indoors as houseplants and will bloom all year if given enough light.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No significant problems.
All euphorbias contain a milky sap in stems and leaves which can cause contact dermatitis for some. Wear gloves when handling these plants. Keep these plants out of the reach of pets or children. All parts of these plants are toxic if ingested.
VIDEO Created by Laura Barth for "Houseplants, Succulents, and Cacti," a plant identification course offered in partnership with Longwood Gardens.
- Profile Video:
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Breathless™ Blush
Light pink flowers - Breathless™ White
White flowers, long elegant branches
- Breathless™ Blush
- Breathless™ Blush, Breathless™ White
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- Breathless™ Blush
Light pink flowers - Breathless™ White
White flowers, long elegant branches
- Breathless™ Blush
- Breathless™ Blush, Breathless™ White
- Tags:
-
-
Attributes:
- Genus:
- Euphorbia
- Species:
- hypericifolia
- Family:
- Euphorbiaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Annual
- Perennial
- Dimensions:
- Height: 0 ft. 8 in. - 1 ft. 8 in.
- Width: 1 ft. 8 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
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-
Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Annual
- Poisonous
- Habit/Form:
- Mounding
- Growth Rate:
- Rapid
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Fine
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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:
- Clay
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Occasionally Dry
- Available Space To Plant:
- 12 inches-3 feet
- 3 feet-6 feet
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 10a, 10b, 11a, 11b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Description:
- No seeds are produced, infertile
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Pink
- White
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Long Bloom Season
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Fall
- Spring
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Radial
- Flower Petals:
- Bracts
- Flower Description:
- Pink or white showy bracts surround the tiny flowers. The flowers are infertile so this encourages continual blooming until frost.
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Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Red/Burgundy
- Variegated
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Opposite
- Leaf Shape:
- Elliptical
- Oblong
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- Yes
- Leaf Length:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Width:
- < 1 inch
- Leaf Description:
- Dark green leaves with red flush. Leaves opposite, simple, hairy margins, blade elliptical-oblong to oblong, up to 1.5 inches long,
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Green
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Description:
- Stems have a milky sap
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-
Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Hanging Baskets
- Houseplants
- Patio
- Walkways
- Landscape Theme:
- Cottage Garden
- Fairy Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
- Drought
- Heat
- Rabbits
- Problems:
- Contact Dermatitis
- Poisonous to Humans
- Problem for Cats
- Problem for Children
- Problem for Dogs
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Poisonous to Humans:
- Poison Severity:
- Low
- Poison Symptoms:
- The milky white latex sap found in all plant parts can cause mild to severe contact dermatitis. If contact with the eyes occurs the sap can cause temporary to permanent damage to the cornea. If eaten, blistering can occur on lips and oral mucosa. Avoid ingesting plant parts and keep plants away from pets and children.
- Poison Toxic Principle:
- Diterpene esters in milky latex
- Causes Contact Dermatitis:
- No
- Poison Part:
- Flowers
- Fruits
- Leaves
- Roots
- Sap/Juice
- Stems
