Euphorbia oblongata
Balkan spurge
This perennial dies back to below ground level each year in autumn, then fresh new growth appears again in spring.
- Position: Full sun or partial shade
- Soil: Moderately fertile, moist, well-drained soil
- Rate of growth: Average to fast
- Flowering period: May to November
- Hardiness: Fully hardy (but often short-lived)
The sulphur yellow flowers appear over an incredibly long period, offering a fresh blast of colour to the palette. The flowers are also excellent for cutting, and look wonderful when teamed with rich purples, plum and orange. Fully hardy but often short-lived, Euphorbia oblongata is an easy, undemanding and very rewarding little gem, which makes it one of the best gap-fillers for borders or pots.
Cut back the faded flower stems in autumn. When working with spurges, always wear rubber gloves as the milky sap is poisonous and a potential skin irritant.
Can be sown in situ into a well-prepared bed and thinned out - or better still, onto a good quality peat-free compost. Cover the seeds with a fine layer of compost in an unheated greenhouse and wait for natural germination before pricking out, potting on and planting into position.
- CAUTION toxic if eaten