Euphorbia characias Tweet

Genus: Euphorbia

Common Name: Spurge

Latin Name: Euphorbia characias

Variety: caracias

Family Name: Euphorbiaceae

Plant Description:

Euphorbia characias is a very variable species in the wild growing throughout the Mediterranean from Portugal to Turkey. At the eastern end of its range the plants tend to have bluish hairy leaves and yellow horned nectar glands. These types were originally called, and are sometimes still referred to as, Euphorbia wulfenii. In the western Mediterranean characias typically have green leaves and dark red or purple nectar glands. Both types have been brought into cultivation and hybridised. They are all sun loving producing almost cylindrical yellow flower heads with conspicuous dark eyes late in the spring. Earlier in the year these flowerheads are bent over like a shepherd's crook and straighten out as the buds open. Later in the summer the seed capsules explode on sunny days as they ripen and expel seed. This is a good architectural plant which can be grown in a hot, dry bed or mixed flower borders and will even do well in exposed coastal gardens. It is more likely to be successful on well-drained soils. It certainly dislikes being both cold and wet and can become leggy if planted too much in the shade. This type of euphorbia appears to be evergreen, because in any year it always has leafy shoots showing above the soil level. Some of these will be flowering shoots and others not. Shoots never last for more than two growing seasons, and flowers only appear on the shoots that are two years old. These die back after flowering to be replaced by new stems, which, in turn, will flower in the next growing season. Euphorbias have three different types of leaves. The stem leaves vary considerably in size and shape from species to species. Above the stem leaves is a cluster of leaves known as "whorl leaves" . Out of these emerge the branched flowering heads and the floral leaves which have the brightest colour. The actual flowers are very small and inconspicuous having neither petals or sepals. It is the floral leaves, along with glands secreting nectar, which attract the pollinators. As the main colour of the plant comes from a leaf, not a petal, this colour is always long-lasting. The sap of euphorbias is poisonous, so contact with the skin should be avoided. It can cause blistering or rash reaction in some people. The wearing of gloves and long sleeves is therefore advisable when handling the plants. Similarly avoid contact with the eyes. E. characias make good cut flowers as they last a long time in water. The problem of dealing with the sap is reduced if immediately after cutting the stems are gently pushed into soil to reduce the flow. Euphorbias have been given the common name "spurge" from the latin "expurgare". This refers to their historical medicinal use as a purgative. Euphorbias make up one of the most diverse and largest plant families in the world with over 2,000 species ranging from small annuals to evergreen shrubs and succulents. One of the best known is the Christmas pot plant, the poinsettia. The species which can best be grown in UK gardens are almost all from the cool temperate regions and the Mediterranean. Euphorbia characias is one of the most popular of these with more named cultivated varieties of this species than of any other euphorbia. Caution. Toxic if eaten / skin & eye irritant.

Latin Name Explanation:

From Euphorbus, a physician during the reign of the Mauretanian King Juba II in the first century BC. Euphorbus may have used the sap from native species of the plant in his medicines.

Preferred Aspect: Full Sun

Height: 1-2m

Spread:

Form: Herbaceous

Hardiness: Fully Frost Hardy - withstand temperature down to -15C

Grown Height: 1-2m

Grown Spread:

Leaf Type: Herbaceous

Likes Soil Type:

Chalky
Chalky Loam
Loam
Sandy
Sandy Loam
Silty

Does not thrive in Soil Type:

Hardiness: Fully Frost Hardy - withstand temperature down to -15C

Preferred Aspect: Full Sun

Primary Flower Colour: Lime Green / Yellowish Green

Primary Foliage Colour: Green Light

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Period of Interest

Planting Period

Pruning Period

Element of Interest:

Adds height and interest to the garden
Colour
Flowers & Leaves
Flowers for Cutting
Shape - Adds Character to Your Garden
Shape & Colour


Likes PH: Slightly Acid - Neutral - Slightly Alkaline

Does not thrive in PH:

Moisture Level: Well drained soil

Growth Rate: Moderate

After Care Required: Trim to Keep Shape and Size in Check


Work Involved: Easy to Grow

Fragrance: Not Scented

Suitable for Small Garden:

Does it need staking?:

Plant for RHS Identification Course:

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Specific Planting:

Plant in autumn or spring. If the soil is thin or heavy, plenty of well-rotted manure or compost should be incorporated before planting. Dig a hole larger than the plant's root ball and fill to the top with water. Allow to drain away and then position the plant so that its compost is level with the surrounding soil. Half back-fill the hole compacting the soil so that it is the same firmness as the compost around the roots. Refill the hole with water and again allow to drain away. Complete filling in the hole with soil.

Specific Care:

In general all euphorbias will be happy provided they receive some sun, shelter and reasonable drainage. When newly planted they may require watering until established. Otherwise, plants can usually cope well with dry conditions and manage adequately with whatever rainfall is available. Young characias plants can be susceptible to cold winds. In an exposed situation it can be helpful to provide a fleece barrier around the young plant, leaving the top open. Stake the plant once it is established if necessary. Staking in the early spring minimises the chance of damage to the plant. Select stakes which give support to about two-thirds of the plant's height. Birch or hazel stems wovern into a cage-like structure and placed over the plant is an alternative to staking.

Specific Feeding:

Apply an annual mulch of well-rotted manure in the spring.

Propagation

There are more plants of the same Genus. If you would like to see them all please press 'Show All' button.

Euphorbia amygdaloides var robbiae Euphorbia amygdaloides 'Bob's Choice' Euphorbia amygdaloides 'Craigieburn' Euphorbia amygdaloides 'Purpurea' Euphorbia caput-medusae Euphorbia characias ssp. characias Euphorbia characias ssp. wulfenii Euphorbia characias subp wulfenii 'John Tomlinson' Euphorbia characias subsp wulfenii 'Emmer Green' Euphorbia characias subsp. characias 'Blue Hills'

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