Plant of the Month: March
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Euphorbia myrsinites
Common name: Milkweed, myrtle spurge
Family: Euphorbiaceae
Vital statistics
Height and spread: 10cm (4in) x 30cm (12in).
Form: Evergreen perennial.
Soil: Well drained, light soil.
Aspect: Full sun.
Hardiness: Fully hardy. |
Euphorbia myrsinites @ Hyde Hall
The Dry Garden at Hyde Hall has proved to be a very popular feature in the garden over the last couple of years and one reason for this is probably due to the fact that there is always colour and interest to see, whatever time of year you may visit. For instance during the winter months the grasses give it great structure and form, but now as we move into spring many of the bulbs have started flowering and now the early perennials are following suit. One of the first perennials to flower is Euphorbia myrsinites, which is a low growing evergreen perennial with spirally arranged glaucous blue-grey leaves. In early spring it bears umbels of bright greenish/yellow flowers, which last for several weeks. This euphorbia has been used to great affect in the Dry Garden, where it has been planted so that it cascades down between the large boulders of Gabbro rock to look very naturalistic and effective.
Euphorbia
Euphorbia is classically supposed to have been named for Euphorbus, physician to the King of Mauretania.
This is an extremely varied genus of about 2000 species including annuals, biennials, evergreen, semi-evergreen and herbaceous perennials, deciduous and evergreen shrubs, trees and succulents.
The plants are widely distributed in a range of habitats in temperate, subtropical and tropical regions. There is considerable variation in size and growth habit from upright tree-like succulents growing to 20m (70ft), through upright or rounded shrubs, to low growing, spreading plants as small as 10cm (4in) tall.
This genus includes the ubiquitous Christmas plant from Mexico, the poinsettia, E. pulcherrima as well as less well known species such as the living baseball, E. obesa from South Africa.
Euphorbia myrsinites
Myrsine comes from the Greek name for myrtle, hence the common name myrtle spurge.
This species, from Southern and Eastern Europe and central Asia, is an evergreen perennial with semi-prostrate stems which are covered in spirally arranged, obovate to rounded, pointed, succulent, blue-grey leaves 5 - 10cm (2 - 4in) long.
Bright greenish-yellow flowers are borne in spring in terminal umbels, 5 - 7.5cm (2 - 3in) across. The flower consists of reduced male and female floral parts grouped together into a cyathium, cupped by fused bracts known as involucres.
All parts of the plant may cause discomfort if ingested. The milky sap may irritate the skin.
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AGM
The RHS Floral A Committee and Joint Rock Garden Trials Subcommittee awarded Euphorbia myrsinites an Award of Garden Merit and described it as: Mat-forming evergreen perennial with leafy stems to 35cm long. Leaves slightly fleshy, bright glaucous green; flowers yellow green, in terminal clusters 10cm wide |
Cultivation
Plant in well-drained soil in full sun.
Grey mould (Botrytis) may be a problem, as may aphids and mealybugs.
Propagation
Sow seed in containers in a cold frame in spring.
Divide in early spring or take basal cuttings in spring or early summer. Dip cut surfaces in charcoal or lukewarm water to prevent bleeding.