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Breathless™ Euphorbias Euphorbia hypericifolia Breathless™ Series

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). They are only hardy in zones 10-12. The genus name, Euphorbia, honors a Greek physician, Euphorbus. 

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. They grow quickly to 8 to 20 inches tall with a 20 to 24-inch spread with a compact mounding habit. 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.  All euphorbias contain a milky sap in stems and leaves which can cause contact dermatitis for some.

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. Wear gloves when handling these plants due to the milky sap being toxic.

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems:  No significant problems.

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

More information on Euphorbia hypericifolia.

Profile Video:
See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Breathless™ Blush'
    Light pink flowers
  • 'Breathless™'White'
    White flowers, long elegant branches
'Breathless™ Blush', 'Breathless™'White'
Tags:
#showy flowers#poisonous#heat tolerant#houseplant#drought tolerant#fall flowers#red leaves#interiorscape#low maintenance#spring flowers#cottage garden#rabbit resistant#interesting leaves#hanging baskets#summer flowers#deer resistant#burgundy leaves#delicate#long bloom time#fairy garden#border front#walkway planting#problem for cats#problem for dogs#problem for children#container plant#drought tolerant annual
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Breathless™ Blush'
    Light pink flowers
  • 'Breathless™'White'
    White flowers, long elegant branches
'Breathless™ Blush', 'Breathless™'White'
Tags:
#showy flowers#poisonous#heat tolerant#houseplant#drought tolerant#fall flowers#red leaves#interiorscape#low maintenance#spring flowers#cottage garden#rabbit resistant#interesting leaves#hanging baskets#summer flowers#deer resistant#burgundy leaves#delicate#long bloom time#fairy garden#border front#walkway planting#problem for cats#problem for dogs#problem for children#container plant#drought tolerant annual
  • 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.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Annual
    Poisonous
    Habit/Form:
    Mounding
    Growth Rate:
    Rapid
    Maintenance:
    Low
    Texture:
    Fine
  • 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
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Description:
    No seeds are produced, infertile
  • 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.
  • 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,
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Green
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Description:
    Stems have a milky sap
  • 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
  • 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