Euphorbia amygdaloides 'Purpurea'
Wood spurge
Also known as Euphorbia amygdaloides 'Rubra', Euphorbia 'Rubra', Euphorbia purpurea 'Rubra'
- Height × spread
- 0.5m × 0.6m
- Position
- Tolerates part shade, likes light shade
- Hardiness
- Very cold to -20C (RHS H6)
- Flowers
- Spring
Availability
Generally available in late Spring & Summer
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
This is a perennial which reaches about 50cm (20in), providing useful groundcover with its handsome whorled leaves. These are a rich purple-brown, particularly handsome at the end of winter when it takes on rich reddish tints. The acidic greenish-yellow flowers in April and May may come as a bit of a shock if you'd planned a soft planting scheme. By midsummer the seed heads, held in sprays over the foliage, contribute pink and green spots of colour.
- Flower colour
- Green
- Foliage colour
- Brown, Purple
- Spring foliage
- Red-young
- Stem colour
- Green
- Variegated
- No
- Scent
- No
- Shape
- Dome
- Height
- 0.5m
- Spread
- 0.6m
- Season of interest
- Spring
- Flowers in
- Spring
- Evergreen
- Evergreen
- Garden style
- Seaside garden
- Sun or shade
- Tolerates part shade, likes light shade
- Soil type
- Chalk, Clay, Loam (normal), Poor soil
- Soil pH
- All types
- Drainage
- All conditions
- Hardiness
- Very cold to -20C (RHS H6)
- Borders & containers
- Borders
- Use for
- Ground cover, Deer resistant, Rabbit resistant, Bee attraction
- Maintenance
- Easycare – low/no maintenance
- Hazards
- Yes, potentially harmful; Humans: Harmful if eaten; skin & eye irritant
Spring
Spring - late · Outdoors
Feed with slow release fertiliser
Apply a general purpose slow release fertiliser, spreading it around the root area of the plant as it is coming into growth. (Or apply a liquid feed at regular intervals throughout the growing season.)
This is a simple way to provide a nutrient boost as a single annual procedure.
Spring-Autumn · Outdoors
Water during drought
After three or four weeks without rain, except for drought tolerant plants, those in the ground often get stressed. Adopt the habit of deep-watering one section of the garden each day. Check plants in pots more frequently, especially in hot weather.
Encourage plants to develop good root systems by giving occasional deep watering. Some plants, such as conifers and heathers, do not show much sign of distress so water these if in doubt.
Spring - early-mid · Planting
Divide when too large
The plant can be divided if it becomes too large or another plant is required. This may involve physically dividing the clump in two, removing offsets or small bulbs or dividing rhizomes. The new plants can be grown in pots or planted in the ground.
Found in
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