Information on Euphorbia has been split into two, this section includes information on the perennial varieties.
These plants have outstanding horizontal leaves and bracts, making them a very attractive feature in borders or for use as edging plants.
They can reach heights of between 15 and 90 cm, and the flowering time depends on the species (though never in the winter.
Some common names for perennial Euphorbia members include Spurge, Flowering, Cushion, and Wood Spurge, and Scarlet Plume. Go here for information on Euphorbia Ghost Weed species.
Euphorbia polychroma (Cushion Spurge) by Patrick Standish.
Euphorbia barnardii by DerekKeats; creative commons.
Euphorbia ingens by Brewbooks; creative commons.
Euphorbia flowers and Euphorbia parciramulosa photographs by whologwhy and Manuel MartÃn Vicente.
Spurge can be grown straight outdoors by sowing the seeds at a depth of 3 mm after the last frost of spring.
They should be sown in either a sunny or partially shaded part of the garden, they prefer a poor soil (ph 6 to 7) that can be moist.
If you prefer to start perennial Euphorbia plant species indoors first then they should be prepared about 7 or 8 weeks before they are due to be put in the garden following the last frost of spring.
The seeds should be pretreated by placing in a refrigerator for one week, then imbibing in warm water for about two hours.
The Spurge seeds should then be planted into peat pots. It will take about two to four weeks for the spurge seeds to germinate at 18 to 20 degrees centigrade.
Once the Euphorbia is growing, more plants can be had by taking cuttings once flowering has occurred or through collecting more seed. Perennial Euphorbia plants should be watered regular while it is growing.
I hope that you enjoyed this guide on how to grow Euphorbia Spurge plants. You may also enjoy the following Gardener's HQ Euphorbiaceae growing guides: How to grow Aleurites moluccana and Ricinus plants.