Plant Library

Other Names:  Mediterranean Spurge, Wolf's Milk

Description:

A stunning selection for a sunny border; narrow, symmetric, blue-gray foliage with white edges forms a bushy mound; conical heads of chartreuse flowers in spring adds further interest; may be brought indoors for the winter

Ornamental Features

Glacier Blue Euphorbia is primarily valued in the garden for its ornamental upright and spreading habit of growth. It has masses of beautiful clusters of buttery yellow flowers with chartreuse overtones and creamy white bracts held atop the stems from early to late spring, which are most effective when planted in groupings. Its attractive narrow leaves emerge chartreuse in spring, turning powder blue in color with distinctive white edges and tinges of bluish-green the rest of the year.

Landscape Attributes

Glacier Blue Euphorbia is an herbaceous evergreen perennial with an upright spreading habit of growth. Its medium texture blends into the garden, but can always be balanced by a couple of finer or coarser plants for an effective composition.

This is a relatively low maintenance plant, and should only be pruned after flowering to avoid removing any of the current season's flowers. Deer don't particularly care for this plant and will usually leave it alone in favor of tastier treats. It has no significant negative characteristics.

Glacier Blue Euphorbia is recommended for the following landscape applications;

• Mass Planting
• Rock/Alpine Gardens
• Border Edging
• General Garden Use
• Container Planting

Planting & Growing

Glacier Blue Euphorbia will grow to be about 20 inches tall at maturity, with a spread of 24 inches. It grows at a medium rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for approximately 8 years. As an evegreen perennial, this plant will typically keep its form and foliage year-round.

This plant does best in full sun to partial shade. It prefers dry to average moisture levels with very well-drained soil, and will often die in standing water. It is considered to be drought-tolerant, and thus makes an ideal choice for a low-water garden or xeriscape application. It is not particular as to soil pH, but grows best in sandy soils. It is highly tolerant of urban pollution and will even thrive in inner city environments. This is a selected variety of a species not originally from North America, and parts of it are known to be toxic to humans and animals, so care should be exercised in planting it around children and pets. It can be propagated by cuttings; however, as a cultivated variety, be aware that it may be subject to certain restrictions or prohibitions on propagation.

Glacier Blue Euphorbia is a fine choice for the garden, but it is also a good selection for planting in outdoor pots and containers. With its upright habit of growth, it is best suited for use as a 'thriller' in the 'spiller-thriller-filler' container combination; plant it near the center of the pot, surrounded by smaller plants and those that spill over the edges. Note that when growing plants in outdoor containers and baskets, they may require more frequent waterings than they would in the yard or garden.