Euphorbia characias subsp. wulfenii 'Lambrook Gold' Family: Euphorbiaceae Vital statistics Height and spread: 1.2m (4ft) high and wide Form: Sub-shrub Life span: 10 years Soil: Well-drained, light soil Aspect: Full sun Hardiness: Hardy in most regions of the British Isles

Found in various parts of the Dry Garden at Hyde Hall where the site is perfect for this and other euphorbias, being in full sun on a well-drained soil.

Due to the deliberately poor soil conditions, plants are not as lush in the Dry Garden as in other areas at Hyde Hall. They are smaller and more 'scrubby' looking, much the way they would appear in their native environment.

Euphorbia

Euphorbia is a very varied genus of about 2,000 species of annuals, biennials, herbaceous perennials, shrubs, trees and succulents with an equally varied distribution in temperate, subtropical and tropical regions. They are adapted to a wide range of habitats, which has led to a great deal of variation in both size and growth habit.

Euphorbia is classically supposed to have been named for Euphorbus, physician to the King of Mauritania.

Originating from the Mediterranean, Euphorbia characias is one of the best known cultivated species. It was one of the spurges known to Theophrastus (372-287 BC) while the specific name comes from xaraxias, which was the name used for it by Dioscorides in the first century AD.

Euphorbia characias subsp. wulfenii 'Lambrook Gold'

This excellent form was selected by the late Margery Fish of East Lambrook Manor in Somerset, England. It is an upright, bushy evergreen Euphorbia with biennial shoots. It forms a single, distinct crown of erect, densely woolly, purple-tinged stems bearing linear to obovate, grey-green leaves to 13cm (5in) long.

Shoots that grow one year will produce cylindrical heads of bright golden-green, flowers from early spring to early summer the following year.

AGM

The RHS Floral Committee B awarded Euphorbia characias subsp. wulfenii 'Lambrook Gold' an Award of Garden Merit and described it as: 'Medium-sized evergreen sub-shrub of erect, open habit, with narrow grey-green leaves and cylindrical heads of bright greenish-yellow flowers.'

Cultivation

Euphorbia characias is naturally a short-lived perennial that is not likely to last more than 10 years. Old plants get leggy and woody at the base and should be propagated regularly in case of damaging cold winters and to replace existing plants on a cyclical basis.

To thrive, Euphorbia characias subsp. wulfenii 'Lambrook Gold' needs a well-drained, light soil in full sun. It is reasonably hardy but exceptionally cold winters are liable to kill off older plants.

After the plant has finished flowering in June prune back the flowering stems as close to the base as possible to encourage plenty of new shoots for flowering the following year.

Euphorbias are relatively untroubled by pests and diseases.

Propagation

For named varieties such as 'Lambrook Gold' the only way to propagate is by cuttings. For the best results cuttings should be taken early in the season when growth of the stem is taking place. Use young basal shoots and do not remove too many leaves as this will weaken the cutting and make handling difficult without getting the irritant latex on your hands.

More information

The Mediterranean Garden Society promotes education and information regarding Mediterranean flora.