Euphorbia experiences
Iowa Blooms z 5
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gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
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Comments (13)Hey Karen, I learned a long time ago, because of my Euphorbia, that you have to be a good Boy Scout and be prepared for exploding seeds. Sorry about the "pod" thing, it's from my Euphorbia experience. I used to have something called tube gauze. We used it in the ER for dressing fingers that were cut. It is a continuous cylindrical gauze dressing; like making a sweater on a circular needle. I would cut pieces about an inch or so long, staple one end and place (stretch) it over a head of Euphorbia flowers. They'd all explode into the netting. Since I've been retired for a very long time, I don't have this available anymore so I improvise....See MoreEuphorbia cyparissias - invasive?
Comments (7)LOL! Mike, I've tried them all at one time or another. But I do have my preferences. The ones most commonly planted, at least in older urban/suburban gardens, are varieties of E. characias, usually the subspecies wulfenii. This can get huge, blooms early and has massive big flowerheads in that striking acid green/yellow color. Fully evergreen, it can self-seed a bit but seldom to the point of being a nuisance. There are various cultivars that offer some unique features, either compact size, variegated foliage or some unusual coloring in either foliage or flower color (the actual flowers are tiny, located in the center of the chartreuse bracts, often yellow-green themselves but infrequently a reddish maroon color). Personally, I think it's hard to beat any of the x martinii hybrids. These are crosses of E. characias and amygdaloides and often feature the best characteristics of both species. Smaller, compact plants, evergreen, sterile (usually) and offering a wide range of coloring. And because of the amygdaloides parentage, are more tolerant of shady conditions than characias. These also make excellent container plants. I also like some of the deciduous/herbaceous species - E. griffithii (spreads but moderately so and with stunning orange coloring to the bracts), honey spurge (E. mellifera), E. sikkimensis, E. wallichii. These often offer distinctly defined midribs on the leaves and variable stem or leaf coloring. These last few are not always hardy in our wet climate, hard to locate and may appeal mostly to collectors. One of the most useful ephorbs is E. robbiae. Quite hardy, very evergreen and very tolerant of dry shade. It can spread rather aggressively if it likes the conditions, but as a groundcover for dry, dark shade - like under conifers or decks, etc. - it is hard to beat. And I've not found removal of excess plants difficult. Ones that I would not grow again are the cypress spurge of this post, E. amygdaloides (prone to powdery mildew), E. dulcis 'Chameleon' (an incredible pest!) or E. seguieriana, which just looks messy most of the time. I also have reservations about planting donkey tail spurge or E. myrsinites - it is considered invasive in some areas of the state (Class C noxious weed) and many nurseries no longer carry it. But it does look good in a rock garden situation or in a container with various succulent plants, which it suits in appearance. E. rigida may be a better choice with a similar appearance....See MoreAnyone growing Euphorbia lactea in pure pumice?
Comments (1)Pure pumice is perfect for that plant....See MorePropagating Euphorbia lactea 'White Ghost'
Comments (14)So an update a year out- Rooting this definitely suits my plant it and forget it personality (yes I kill a lot of plants lol). I took a lot of cuttings, let them callous over, and propped them up in pebble, sand, and a little well draining soil if I remember right. I think I misted it a few times the first week or two then ?maybe a couple more times over the fall and winter. It was on a shelf in front of a west facing window. One or two small ones dried up and one larger one that had cuts on both ends dried up. This spring when it warmed up I set it outside where it got some shade from other plants and a tree. Not long after I set it out, one of the cuttings got knocked over and there were 3 maybe 3/8” roots. I put it back where it was and watered it in. We’ve gotten a couple good rains and I noticed last week there was new growth! Well, I still can’t figure out how to get pictures on here right, but you get the idea. So I guess the best advice I can give anyone that wants to propagate this euphorbia is year long benign neglect :-) Lisa...See MoreIowa Blooms z 5
last yearTiffany, purpleinopp Z8b Opp, AL
last yearlast modified: last yearIowa Blooms z 5 thanked Tiffany, purpleinopp Z8b Opp, AL
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Ashley Smith zone 5a