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EUPHORBIA characias
Commonly known as Spurge, Wolf's milk
Flowers green with chocolate centres
Further Reading....
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EvergreenLinear to oval, grey-green leaves to 13cm (5in) long.
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Brown or blackBrown centres
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Green
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Height1.2m (4ft)
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Spread1.2m (4ft)
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Medium shrubTypically grow to around 4-6 feet in heightUpright shrub with biennial shoots and clumps of erect, densely-woolly, purple-tinged stems. Flowers in spherical, terminal cymes 10-30cm (4-12in) long.
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Hardy - average winterHardy through most of the UK apart from inland valleys, at altitude and central/northerly locations. May suffer foliage damage and stem dieback in harsh winters in cold gardens. Plant can withstand temperatures down to -10°C (14°F)Borderline
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Full sun
EUPHORBIA characias
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Additional FeaturesGood to knowCut out flowered shoots if seed is not required. Wildlife plant - insectsPests & DiseasesAphids, grey mould.Place of originPortugal, western Mediterranean.
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HardinessFully hardyBorderline
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Leaf marginEntire
(see photos above) -
Leaf shapeLinear
(see photos above) -
Pruning groupPruning group 4Suitable for: Deciduous trees and shrubs that flower on current year's growth or are grown for winter stem effect.
Pruning: Hard prune to a low permanent framework.
When: Annually in early Spring.
RHS group 5, 6 & 7 -
Seasonal InterestAutumnSpringSummerWinter
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Soil ConditionsMedium to light, fertile, well drained soil
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Toxic - Category B - CAUTIONSkin & eye irritantHarmful if eaten (People & Pets)
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WildlifeBee friendlyRabbit Resistant
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Cold weather damage to evergreen plants
Euphorbia - Care Guide
1.2m (4ft)
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1.2m (4ft) |
Buy Varieties of EUPHORBIA characias

EUPHORBIA characias 'Black Pearl'
Spurge, Wolf's milk
flowers are greenish-yellow with a distinctive black eye

EUPHORBIA characias 'Silver Swan'
Spurge, Wolf's milk
dazzling silver variegated foliage and silver variegated flower heads


EUPHORBIA characias 'Tasmanian Tiger'
Spurge, Wolf's milk
a variegated form with a neat shape and one of the most attractive leaf-flower combinations

EUPHORBIA characias wulfeni
Spurge, Wolf's milk
extra large flowers, lime-green
Useful extras...

Fertilisers & Feeds - Vitax
Q4 Pelleted Fertiliser
A useful fertiliser suitable for use on a wide variety of plants. Q4 provides all the nutrients and trace elements essential for vigorous growth, abundant flowering and ripening of fruit.
3 options from £6.00

Fertilisers & Feeds - Empathy
Rootgrow mycorrhizal fungi
Recommended by the RHS. Contains Rootgrow™ mycorrhizal fungi. Suitable for all trees and shrubs (except rhododendrons, azaleas, heathers, cranberries and blueberries)
2 options from £6.00