A photo update of my Euphorbia characias dwarf. This time around it is showing some blooms. But on the other hand it is also suffering from some insect attacks..have already sprayed it but still there. So it is a mixed bag of elation and frustration

The progress of the blooms:


A closer look:


The base of the plant as shown here is severely being attacked...I guess have to step up the spray as winter goes into spring:

Very pretty, I like it!

Not sure I know what a 'hardy' versus 'non-hardy' euphorbia is?? Here are the three I have, all of which are hardy for me (Zone 8):

Excalibur: tall with pinky/red stem



Fens Ruby: low self-seeder



Polychroma: round ball of sunshine

I haven't had much luck with any of these here. They either die over the winter or only live about two years tops.

I only have one variety.BonFire.If it comes back this will be the third year.
It's beautiful in all seasons as it changes.

First Blush is beautiful all seasons and is hardy in zone three and is advertised up to zone 7. Like Deb I'm not sure what is considered hardy.

I just googled and image of First Blush.Its really nice with variegated leaves

The first First Blush is so pretty when the bracts color up early in the spring. Because it is smaller than some of the others it holds it's shape through the summer with a slight blush to the variagation and then as it get's cooler it colors up to a very pretty deep pink. The different season colors are in the data base. I don't know how to put them here but if you're looking for euphorbia it's worth checking it out.

You can see all the different colors here, I really like it and would like to buy one. Is it true you have to wear gloves when you handle them?

https://www.google.com/search?...

I almost always wear gloves when I'm working in the garden but I've cut stems for arrangements and not had a problem. I think everybody has different things that you are sensitive to so you would probably have to try it for yourself to see if you were.

I found my fall pix of BonFire.I dont remember having any toxic problems.


BonFire in May -- lower left beneath white siberian

I love Bonfire too. Both spring and fall.

nice!!

Really nice.I hope they are long lived.Mine really like full sun.The ones in part shade get long and lanky.

I only have a few Euphorbias in my garden, but one of my favourites is E. myrsinites because it's so pretty in all seasons. The foliage is beautiful on its own when nothing else is going on, but it puts on a stellar show all spring from blooms to seedpods to even the pink-flushed bracts after it releases the seedpods. To give an idea of how long these stages last, I've put the dates above each photo--all from 2012 and the same plant.

April 18:


May 13


May 29


June 18


June 24

I am beginning to like more euphorbias.Those are really nice.

Just more close ups of the blooms of my plant...so nice to see it wide open, easy to see what's inside