Euphorbia amygdaloides

Euphorbia amygdaloides

Wood spurge

• Position: partial shade
• Soil: well-drained soil
• Flowering period: April to June
• Height: 40-60cm
• Foliage: evergreen
• Hardiness: fully hardy

Varieties

Euphorbia amygdaloides var. robbiae

Euphorbia amygdaloides var. robbiae is an excellent, tough, evergreen perennial. Lovely lime-green flowers emerge from rosettes of dark green leaves from mid to late spring. This wood spurge grows well in dry shade, even in dry soils under trees and hedges. It also makes an attractive groundcover.

Euphorbia amygdaloides ‘Purpurea’

For intense colour try Euphorbia amygdaloides ‘Purpurea’. This shade-loving euphorbia bears acid-yellow flowers with purple-green leaves on dark reddish stems. It flowers from mid-spring to early summer. ‘Purpurea’ looks great at the front of a shady border.

Euphorbia a. ‘Purpurea’                                     Euphorbia a var. robbiae

Pruning

When and how to prune Euphorbia amygdaloides var. robbiae and Euphorbia amygdaloides ‘Purpurea’ (wood spurge). Cut back the faded stems in late summer or autumn. New rosettes will constantly emerge at the base.

Wear gloves when cutting back stems of euphorbias. The milky sap is poisonous and causes skin irritation.

Overwinter

How do you look after Euphorbia amygdaloides var robbiae and ‘Purpurea’ during the winter months. If the stems are exposed to cold winds or severe frosts they can be damaged. Protect the plant against severe frost with a couple of layers of garden fleece.

Plant combination

Euphorbia amygdaloides var. robbiae and ‘Purpurea’ will look good with a range of partners such as Vinca minor, Liriope muscari, and Bergenia.

Vinca minor