- Botanical name: Euphorbia characias subsp. wulfenii
- Common name: Spurge
- Family: Euphorbiaceae
- Plant Type: Perennial
Yellow
Blue/Green
- Key features:
- Dramatic foliage
- Flowers
Euphorbia characias subsp. wulfenii is an architectural perennial, perfect for adding a touch of drama to the border. Bluish-green foliage looks fresh all year round, and in early summer it’s joined by large, dome-shaped, lime-yellow flowers that tower above it. It’s ideal for growing in a sunny border or gravel garden, and is a good planting partner for kniphofias, which bear orange and yellow flowers.
For best results grow Euphorbia characias subsp. wulfenii in moist but well-drained soil, in full sun. Cut down the flower stems to ground level as the blooms fade. Be careful when handling the plant as the thick, white sap can irritate the eyes and skin.
How to grow Euphorbia characias
-
Plant size
90cm height
90cm spread
-
Aspect
South facing, west facing
-
Position in border
Middle
- Sun exposure: Full sun
- Hardiness: Hardy
- Soil type: Well drained / light / sandy / clay / heavy / moist / chalky / alkaline / acidic
Plant calendar
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plant | ||||||||||||
| Plant |
J
Do not Plant in January |
F
Do not Plant in February |
M
Do not Plant in March |
A
Do not Plant in April |
M
Do Plant in May |
J
Do Plant in June |
J
Do not Plant in July |
A
Do not Plant in August |
S
Do not Plant in September |
O
Do not Plant in October |
N
Do not Plant in November |
D
Do not Plant in December |
| Flowers | ||||||||||||
| Flowers |
J
Plant does not flower in January |
F
Plant does not flower in February |
M
Plant does not flower in March |
A
Plant does not flower in April |
M
Plant does flower in May |
J
Plant does flower in June |
J
Plant does flower in July |
A
Plant does not flower in August |
S
Plant does not flower in September |
O
Plant does not flower in October |
N
Plant does not flower in November |
D
Plant does not flower in December |
| Divide | ||||||||||||
| Divide |
J
Do not Divide in January |
F
Do not Divide in February |
M
Do Divide in March |
A
Do Divide in April |
M
Do Divide in May |
J
Do not Divide in June |
J
Do not Divide in July |
A
Do not Divide in August |
S
Do not Divide in September |
O
Do not Divide in October |
N
Do not Divide in November |
D
Do not Divide in December |
| Prune | ||||||||||||
| Prune |
J
Do not Prune in January |
F
Do not Prune in February |
M
Do Prune in March |
A
Do Prune in April |
M
Do not Prune in May |
J
Do not Prune in June |
J
Do not Prune in July |
A
Do not Prune in August |
S
Do not Prune in September |
O
Do not Prune in October |
N
Do not Prune in November |
D
Do not Prune in December |
Euphorbia characias and wildlife
Euphorbia characias has no particular known value to wildlife in the UK.
Is Euphorbia characias poisonous?
Euphorbia characias can be toxic. Its sap is toxic.
Toxic to Cats
Toxic to Dogs
Toxic to Horses
Toxic to People
No reported toxicity to Birds
No reported toxicity to Livestock
Plants that go well with Euphorbia characias
