Last year it died for me within 2 months. It was a late spring (may-early June) planting.
Never tried again.

well phooey, george. they were expensive too. guess i'll try mulching the heck out of 'em and putting a peach basket over them.....
th you,
mindy

I'm growing it now, but it's rather new in my garden; planted in June. It hasn't grown very much (only about 6 inches high with 2 branches), but it looks very healthy and happy. It's a little bit sheltered by surrounding plants and until it grows up higher next year, it's only getting about 4 hours of east/south somewhat filtered sun. I'm suspecting that it's taking this first season to establish a healthy root system and that it will show more signs of prospering next year.

I planted it the same way I would plant lavender or rosemary or agastache in my gardens. I dig a hole about 18 inches deep and place a 2 inch layer of grit or gravel at the bottom. I then replace the soil (amended with a mixture of sand and compost) until the hole is now only about 8 inches deep. I again place a 2 inch layer of grit or gravel on top of that. Then I fill the hole with more of the original soil (again, amended with a mixture of sand and compost). I place the plant in the soil about 1 inch higher than usual and then place a 1 inch layer of stone around the base of the plant in a 6 inch radius circle. I choose a color of stone that mimics the color of the surrounding mulch. And there you have it!

Obviously, my soil has a tendency to not drain very well and my winters are a constant back and forth between freeze and thaw. Hence, the extra effort in my gardens for plants that require great drainage.

Best of luck with The Tiger!

Mindy, I tried one a few years ago and it lived thru the summer and fall (on a steep slope-good drainage). It never came back after the winter. I hope you have better luck than I did.

Even in my zone 8 garden where all euphorbias grow like weeds this was a pitiful, half-hearted plant. It lasted a couple of years before I just ripped it out - it didn't justify the real estate it was occupying :-) I think it is just a not very robust plant. Other variegated E. characias seem to be much stronger and more vigorous, like 'Silver Swan' or 'Glacier Blue'.

Garden Gal,

Silver Swan looks great! I'll keep that in mind if my Tiger doesn't work out. I'm not finding a source online, though. Can you stear us in the right direction?

Thanks, Steve

what a terrifically helful technique to learn about. the major challenge will be getting down 18" in our rocky new eng soil! but i still plan to try this method and thank you.

btw, i also did a web search for silv swan, to no avail. unless you want to bring it back from england,or better yet, new zealand! hmmm, i've alw wanted to go to NZ. now i have a REALLY purposeful reason!
best,
mindy

Well gosh........:-) It never occurred to me that Silver Swan might be a difficult plant to locate. My nursery (located in WA state) grows it and sells it wholesale to regional garden centers, etc. so I just assumed it was more widely available. For some reason, a lot of west coast nurseries seem to lead the way with new plant introductions (the original Heronswood was responsible for 'Tasmanian Tiger') and eventually they all trickle down across the country.

Too bad we don't do mail order - sounds like we might make a few bucks until this gets a wider distribution :0)

Here's a picture of Euphorbia 'Silver Swan' in my garden from earlier this summer. I actually found this plant at Lowes in the Spring and purchased a couple. They have grown quite a bit and have filled in since the picture was taken. They are really beautiful. I also have Euphorbia martinii and recently found Euphorbia 'Helena's Blush' at a neaby nursery. This one is also variegated and has a spectacular variegated bloom in the spring.

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Had a variegated euphorbia (no name on label) in a pot the first half of the summer, not particularly vigorous here. Put it in the ground a month ago, not dead but not thriving either. Will see what it does in the spring. Other euphorbias I planted in the ground this spring thrived..maybe I should have put it in the ground from the beginning. If I can find the other 2 gardengal mentioned, I would love to try them.

Garry, Thank you for the Swam picture. It's beautiful! My Tiger looks a lot like that (only much smaller). My fingers are crossed that it will do well. If not, I'll have to keep my eyes open for Silver Swam. It's bound to show up sooner or later. Thanks again!

Mindy, I'm glad that was helpful. You're funny.

I planted a Tasmanian Tiger last spring and it grew very little or maybe none the entire season, then didn't return this spring. I wish I had tried wintering it over in my garage but probably won't try it again unless I happen to find it very cheap somewhere.

I just bought this plant. The tag on it says it is hardy to zone 4 US. I had my doubts, but it is guaranteed to return next year - or money back.

well, put that receipt in a safe place! i've alw wanted to ask you where guelph is so i just googled it and see your location so. of toronto. Info mentions Scottish settlers. Guelph sounds so Dutch; is it a Scottish place/name?
best,
mindy

'Glacier Blue' has been superb. It has survived one winter and it has formed a nice compact plant with exceptional color and vigor for a variegated Euphorbia. 'Silver Swan' is very similar in appearance, but haven't tried that one yet. I figured one variegated Euphorbia is enough. hehe

Some fellow gardeners have had luck getting 'Tasmanian Tiger' established, but as you've read, can be quite temperamental. I wouldn't bother with it.

R

Guelph is named after a British royal family, which turns out to be Italian.

Here's another very recent picture of my Silver Swan Euphorbia from this weekend. The second picture is another variegated Euphorbia that I've been looking all over for, and finally found it at a local nursery...'Helena's Blush.' It has spectacular candy apple green variegated flowers in the spring.

Euphorbia characias 'Silver Swan'
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Euphorbia amygdaloides 'Helena's Blush'
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'Helena's Blush' is indeed a very attractive plant ...

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Terry

Your Helena's Blush looks great. It's really starting to develop the nice red tones that come with cooler weather. Do you have to give it any protection in the winter? How tall does it get?

Garry, the plant is new to me this summer and grew to about 1 ft tall. It's rated to zone 4, I'm zone 3 ... it's planted in free draining soil with the crown down deeper and I'll provide added winter protection.

Terry

Oh well. My little tiger died. I guess the search is on for an online source of Silver Swam. Wish me luck!

i had several. none thrived. and then eventually died a long slow death . . .

My two large silver swan euphorbias are completely burned out. This was a tough winter with a significant cold spell. I'm waiting to see if any signs of life appear from them. The funny thing is that I have some smaller ones planted throughout the garden from cuttings last season that are already sending up shoots.

Silver Swan is definitely more tender that E. Helena's Blush and E. martinii, both of which are still looking good.

garry, 'Silver Swan' (also 'Tasmanian Tiger' and 'Glacier Blue') are all variegated forms of E. characias and therefore quite a bit less hardy than any hybrids like 'Helena's Blush' or x martinii. The variegation also tends to reduce hardiness and offers limitations on vigor as well - E. characias in my climate tends to be a BIG, robust, freely seeding plant that takes extremes of winter in stride. Not so for any of the variegated forms.

If anyone is looking for Euphorbia characias 'Silver Swan,' check out your local Lowes. I noticed it again this year (in the 'premium perennial' pots) at my local store. Mine didn't survive the winter last year...it's tender here. I will probably dig it up or take cuttings in the fall.