EUPHORBIA

Commonly known as Spurge, Wolf's milk

Very varied genus of about 2000 species of annuals, biennials, evergreen, semi-evergreen or herbaceous perennials, deciduous or evergreen subshrubs, shrubs and trees and succulents.

Many uses including for mixed borders, woodland gardens and rockeries though notice should be taken of the milky sap which can irritate the skin and no part should be eaten.

Many are attractive to insects.

There are 10 UK native spurges, most of which are common.

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Plant Details

Good to know
Much reduced floral parts (cyathia) are usually cupped by involucres of long-lasting fused bracts
Place of origin
Widely distributed in temperate sub tropical and tropical regions.
Deciduous
Evergreen
Ground cover
These plants are typically low growing and spread quickly to inhibit weed growth on areas of bare soil
Herbaceous
Early in the year, typically January till end of March, herbaceous plants might be supplied in 9cm pots to ensure timely despatch.
Medium shrub
Typically grow to around 4-6 feet in height
Tall Shrub
skin & eye irritant
People and pets, i.e. cats, dogs, rabbits, rodents
toxic if eaten
People and pets, i.e. cats, dogs, rabbits, rodents
Rabbit Resistant

Planting Tips and Care Advice

Cold weather damage to evergreen plants

What do with cold weather damage

Euphorbia - Care Guide

Herbaceous Plants - Video Collection

Search Caerhays Garden Diary for more info & pictures

EUPHORBIA amygdaloides purpurea

Wood spurge

(rubra) - reddish bronze foliage, upright growing

1.5 to 2 Litre

£12.00

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Available again FEB 2025
fresh stock in late winter

EUPHORBIA amygdaloides var robbiae

Wood spurge

Lime-green-yellow flowers

1.5 to 2 Litre

£12.00

EUPHORBIA amygdaloides 'Ruby Glow'

New leaves bright red, darkening with age to purple-black, on maroon stems

1.5 to 2 Litre

£12.50

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Available Early Spring 2025
Spring according to the Met office is defined as March 1st - May 31st. Therefore early spring is early March to mid-April. This is not a guaranteed date but an estimate and subject to availability.

EUPHORBIA 'Blackbird'

Deep red stems, blue-green leaves and dome-shaped yellow flowers

1.5 to 2 Litre

£13.50

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EUPHORBIA characias

Flowers green with chocolate centres

1.5 to 2 Litre

£12.50

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EUPHORBIA characias 'Black Pearl'

Flowers are greenish-yellow with a distinctive black eye

1.5 to 2 Litre

£13.50

EUPHORBIA characias 'Silver Swan'

Dazzling silver variegated foliage and silver variegated flower heads

1.5 to 2 Litre

£13.50

EUPHORBIA characias 'Tasmanian Tiger'

A variegated form with a neat shape and one of the most attractive leaf-flower combinations

1.5 to 2 Litre

£13.50

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Available late spring to early summer 2025
Spring according to the Met Office is defined as March 1st - May 31st. Therefore late spring is mid-April onwards. This is not a guaranteed date but an estimate and subject to availability.