Euphorbia Growing Guide

Euphorbias have superb garden interest – they are perennial, evergreen, with bright spring growth and a froth of bracts and flowers so floriferous they almost hide the foliage. Real garden-worthy plants! Plant in sun or partial shade.

When they Arrive

As long as the ground is not waterlogged or frozen your pot grown plants can be planted out as soon as you receive them. However this is not critical as they can be left in their pots for a while if the weather isn’t suitable for planting if the compost is kept moist.

Before Planting

Water the pot well to give the roots a good soak.

Planting

* Dig a hole larger than the root-ball.

* Mix some compost or general purpose fertiliser with the soil from the planting hole.

* Make sure the soil in the bottom of the hole is loose to enable the roots to penetrate.

* Gently remove the plant from its pot, taking care not damage the root-ball.

* Place the plant in the hole at the same depth as it was in its container.

* Back-fill the planting hole with the soil mixture, firming gently to remove any air pockets, and water well.

* Mulching round plants with compost or bark chippings will help to keep down weeds and prevent water loss. Water regularly during the first year after planting.

Aftercare

Mulching round plants with compost or bark chippings will help to keep down weeds and prevent water loss. Water regularly during the first year after planting.

After flowering when they start to look untidy cut out the complete flowering stem to the base of the plant. (wear gloves when cutting Euphorbia stems to avoid contact with sap).

Feed each spring with a good general purpose fertiliser.

Sap may irritate skin and eyes, all parts are highly toxic if ingested.