Spring euphorbias

Spring euphorbias are ideal for Mediterranean-style plantings and drought gardens, says Graham Rice, as he lists his top choices

- Graham Rice

THERE are around 2,000 wild euphorbia species and they include a surprising mixture of plant types. Many are succulents, reminding us of the cacti seen in TV westerns. There are also small annual garden weeds and the Christmas poinsettia is a euphorbia, too.

Mediterranean euphorbias for sunny drought gardens

Mediterranean euphorbias are unusual in that they can be said to be part shrub and part perennial. They develop a bold shrubby, evergreen structure, with the unbranched stems topped by large and striking heads of greenish or yellowish spring flowers. Some develop upright growth, while others lay flat on the ground. The stems then die away, to be replaced by new growth from the base.

These are drought-tolerant, sunloving plants that appreciate good drainage. Examples include Euphorbia characias and its many varieties.

Hardy perennial euphorbias  or spring borders

Behaving much more like so many other erennial plants, hardy perennial uphorbias are a small group. These uphorbias open their bright-yellow lower heads in spring and then often hange colour through reddish tones as the foliage develops into a neat dome. All the shoots then die back for the winter before emerging freshly in early spring.

Euphorbia epithymoides is widely grown. Some of the best, including ‘Lace’, have variegated or coloured spring foliage.

6 spring euphorbias for flowers

 

Euphorbia characias ‘Lambrook Gold’