Euphorbia epithymoides

CUSHION SPURGE

Euphorbia epithymoides
CUSHION SPURGE

Euphorbia epithymoides is a very dry hardy, as well as decorative mound.

Hardy in tricky spots

And incredibly handy in all sorts of tricky garden dilemmas, where other plants fail and fear to try.

A froth of lime

It blooms with a froth of lime-green heads over spring-summer, above a mound of neat emerald foliage.
And the “flowers” are exceptionally durable in all weathers as they are actually bracts. So they remain unspoiled for ages no matter what the weather does.
Then in autumn and winter it is the turn of the foliage to star, when it reacts to the cold by colouring up to vivid reds and purples.

Dry shade hardy

Euphorbia epithymoides is a particularly dry hardy neat mound, as well as decorative.
So it is ideal planted in a variety of difficult positions, from Dry Shade all the way through to Full Sun.
And it is robustly drought hardy in any position. (Though it will not grow in as tight a cushion shape in heavier shade of course – the hotter and drier, the tighter the shape).
Making it a very water-wise choice for any gardeners with limited water supplies.

Hardy in frost, dry, heat, and can even brush off some salt

Euphorbia epithyoides also copes in poor soils, including sandy and coastal locations, and stony, gravel or very well drained ground.
So it makes a handsomely coloured perennial plant in a wide range of difficult spots.

Cushion Spurge is therefore hardy in frost, manages in dry, copes with heat, and will even brush off quite a degree of salt in the air.

Rabbit and deer proof

As a further bonus, it is rarely if ever troubled by any pests and diseases.
And best of all – feral rabbits and deer will not touch it, because the white sap causes a burning sensation in their mouths.

Caution: So it is a wise precaution to wear gloves whenever you trim or work with any Euphorbia, and be careful not to get any of the white sap in your eyes (this is no time to rub tired gardener’s eyes).
Because the milky sap can burn your skin, and is distinctly bad to get in your eyes.
So always wash immediately if you come in contact with the sap.
In fact the repeated application of Euphorbia sap was often used in folk medicine, as a treatment to burn off warts and skin lesions.

Very bee friendly

Our helpful little garden friends the bees, also find Euphorbia flower heads very useful.
Because the blossoms are full of pollen and nectar, and so long lasting, and thus a very reliable food source for our pollinators.

40cm. High with frothy lime flower heads  x 40cm. Wide, plump cushion of foliage.

SEED SOWING ADVICE: QUICK

Sow at any time of year in punnets indoors / or scatter in garden spring & summer.

Indoors for quick & early plants:
First soak the seeds in warm (not boiling) water for 2 hours, allowing it to cool.

Then sow the seed in a punnet on good quality seed raising mix.
And barely cover the seeds with vermiculite or sieved mix.
Because these seeds need light to germinate.

Now stand the sown punnet in a shallow water bath, and allow the moisture to percolate up to the surface of the mix from below, to thoroughly moisten.

Then place the moist, sown punnet in a warm, well-lit position (not in any direct sun).

Temperatures of 20-26C approx. are ideal for rapid and optimum germination.
So you can use a heat mat if you have one, to maintain ideal temperatures.
But a heat mat is not essential, as these seeds are easy to germinate if they are kept in a warm position.

And continue to keep moist by misting the surface from a spray water bottle.
Covering the punnet with a clear cover, plastic bag or glass will also help to maintain consistent moisture

Seedlings emerge in 10-21 days.
But do not discard the punnet too quickly. As some seeds may come later.

However if the seeds are shy to germinate after 21 days they need to have their natural dormancy broken by a period of chilling.
So wrap the moist, sown punnet in cling-wrap or a plastic bag.
And place in the fridge (not freezer) for 7 days.
Then remove from fridge, unwrap & return to warm, well lit position at 20-26C.

Seed Count: 10 seeds per pack approx.
(We always aim to exceed the stated seed count, and give a generous serve).

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