Gopher Spurge Euphorbia rigida

Rigid Spurge is a shrubby, evergreen perennial in the Euphorbiaceae (spurge) family native to southern Europe and western Asia that grows in a clump 1 - 2 feet tall and 2 - 3 feet wide.  It has blue-green leaves with chartreuse-yellow star-shaped flowers in the spring.  Euphorbia is named after Euphorbus, a Greek physician who served King Juba of Numidia in 12BC.  Rigida is for the erect stems of the plant.

Rigid spurge grows in poor, sandy and rocky well-drained loam soils in full sun but it will tolerate some shade.  This plant is not bothered by deer and is salt tolerant.  It is said to repel gophers, hence one of its common names.  Propagation is by seed or stem cutting.  The foliage turns an interesting red to bronze color in the fall. Even though it is evergreen, in cold climates, the foliage will decline especially in wind.  Hardy in zones 7 - 10, it tends to be shorter lived in warm winter climates.  As with all euphorbias, rigid spurge exudes a milky sap from the stems and leaves that can be toxic.

This plant achieved the Award of Garden Merit by the Royal Horticultural Society in the UK.  In other areas of its native range, it is considered a weed.

Use in a rock garden, Xeriscape landscaping or containers.

Insects, Diseases and Other Plant Problems: Rigid spurge has no serious insect or disease problems. Some people experience skin rashes from contact with the toxic sticky plant sap of euphorbias. 

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

More information on Euphorbia.