After adding a few photos of hardy Euphorbias to the Plant Database which prompted comments/questions, Tee thought maybe we should have a discussion thread for anyone who has questions about these beauties. If the thread generates enough interest we might even ask for a Hardy Euphorbia forum!

It's no secret that I've become obsessed with these Euphorbias in the last few years and I'd love to share my experience, favorites, as well as duds If you have any of the hardy Euphorbias in your garden I'd love to hear about them!

One of my favorites - Euphorbia 'Helena's Blush'

That is a really nice one. How big does it get?

Jo Ann, not as tall as some of the others, but still almost a 'shrubby' habit, wider than they are tall at about 2'-2.5'. Some of our Euphorbia x martinii grow 3' or more! I'll see if I can find some "landscape" shots to give you a better idea.

hanr Bon Fires,they are shorter,maybe 12 inches.

I am new with Euphorbias. I got this little seedling last 06Feb 2012 and its name is Euphorbia characias 'Dwarf':



So far it is growing steadily, a great improvement already seen in a month's time. Could be the milder than usual winter weather and late winter rains:



If anyone has grown this type, would appreaciate knowing your experience about it

I am not familiar with that one, tarev, but perhaps Debbie will know about it.

The growth on that plant in one month is great. Mine are all out of dormancy and have been putting on growth for several weeks. Looks like you have the green-thumb touch with that one. It's definitely a happy plant.

I've grown Euphorbia marginata "Kilimanjaro" for the last couple of years, but was wondering if I could pinch it back to make it bushier? Tried that last year, but it didn't seem to work too well.

Tarev, I'm pretty sure that's one of the newer cultivars. I don't have any experience with it so googled it and saw the photos on Annie's Annuals - what a little cutie! None of the E. characias cultivars have done well here, they're only considered hardy to Zone 7. I have been able to keep a couple of 'Glacier Blue' alive through a winter but I had to tuck them into spots where they might be "tricked" with the microclimate. The major thing with any of these hardy Euphorbias is to make sure you don't drown them in the pot - they need to be kept on the dry side or they'll quickly rot. Just treat them like a succulent and you should have good luck - yours looks like it's off to a great start!

woofie said:I've grown Euphorbia marginata "Kilimanjaro" for the last couple of years, but was wondering if I could pinch it back to make it bushier? Tried that last year, but it didn't seem to work too well.

If I cut mine back, I do it in the spring here in my climate. Debbie, what do you think?

Woofie, I have YET in all my years of gardening to have success growing Euphorbia marginata! One of the houses nearby has an amazing mass of it growing near the mailbox at the end of their driveway and I admire it every year. Like any of the perennial Euphorbias, they need to be pruned/pinched back in the early spring. Once they start getting too tall I'm thinking since "Snow on the mountain" has such a short season, maybe it's almost too much of a shock if it's pruned later in the season? I'll have pay closer attention to those growing around that mailbox and see if I can catch the homeowner some time and ask them how they keep them so beautiful!

I was typing when you posted, darned laptop, I can't type fast enough!

That's okay ... we'll gladly wait for you.

rcn48 said:Tarev, I'm pretty sure that's one of the newer cultivars. I don't have any experience with it so googled it and saw the photos on Annie's Annuals - what a little cutie! None of the E. characias cultivars have done well here, they're only considered hardy to Zone 7. I have been able to keep a couple of 'Glacier Blue' alive through a winter but I had to tuck them into spots where they might be "tricked" with the microclimate. The major thing with any of these hardy Euphorbias is to make sure you don't drown them in the pot - they need to be kept on the dry side or they'll quickly rot. Just treat them like a succulent and you should have good luck - yours looks like it's off to a great start!

Yeah, I got the seedling from Annie's Annuals actually Anyhow, I will just play it by the ear then and treat this little one like one of my succulents Thanks!

Keep me posted on its progress - I might have to try one! Since it's "small" I think I can find a warmer pocket in the garden for it.

Sure thing Debbie

I am beginning to like Euphorbias too..and as I look at our plants now, just realized I have 4 types already Well, the other three looks more like typical members of the cacti/succulent family. This Euphorbia characias is my first one that will hopefully be bush looking I intend to keep them in containers too since I do not have much space for in ground planting.

You bring up a good point, tarev. There are succulent and xeriphytic members of the Euphorbia genus. Those are mostly tender plants. And then there are these hardy spurges/Euphorbias which is the subject of this thread.

I was looking for "landscape" photos and found this one. I know I must have a better one but this is one I took early last summer right after I planted 'Blackbird' (center) and 'Ascot Rainbow' (left) along a border as companions for 'Shorty' (right). Unfortunately right after I planted these I was off to Maine for the birth of my grandson and Rick didn't such a good job keeping the fresh planting watered. Then I injured my ankle upon my return so all new plants suffered even more and I'm not sure any of them are still alive.

Oops.

I have a new Euphorbia. It's E. dulcis 'Chameleon'. It is small as yet but is starting to put out some good growth this year. So I'm hoping I'll have a good idea of what it will look like where I have it planted.

I was just admiring one of these the other day on the wintercolor thread, it was posted by springcolor and she first said 'Euphorbia Charm' then she changed it to 'Red Wing ' because that is what it said on the back and for some reason it said 'Charm' on the front of the tag. I really like that one, I looked it up but never did find anyone who sells it.
She had hers in a large container with some daffs I believe. I hope she will post the picture here.

I hope so too. ♥ the spurge Euphorbias. I don't think I've ever met one I didn't like.