Euphorbia mellifera
honey spurge
This shrub is semi-evergreen, so it can lose some of its leaves in winter. In colder regions or more exposed gardens, it may lose them all, but then fresh new foliage appears again in spring.
- Position: full sun or partial shade
- Soil: light, well-drained garden soil
- Rate of growth: fast growing
- Flowering period: March to April
- Hardiness: frost hardy (needs winter protection in cold areas)
A magnificent, large euphorbia that really makes a dramatic statement in the garden. It has stiff stems strung with whorls of bright green leaves with a white stripe down the centre and topped in spring, with small, honey-scented, bronze-tinted flowers. This evergreen shrub is grown as much for its foliage as its deliciously scented flowers. It forms a natural dome shape, and gives structure and an architectual quality to the garden. Or try it as part of an exotic scheme; the luminous-green leaves look great with large-leafed plants. - Garden care: Cut back the faded flower stems after they have faded. When working with spurges always wear gloves since the milky sap is poisonous and a potential skin irritant. Remove unwanted seedlings each spring as part of routine border maintenance.
- Humans/Pets: IRRITANT to skin/eye; harmful if eaten