Euphorbia cornigera

RHS Plant Profile
horned spurge

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horned spurge Dorling Kindersley Ltd
horned spurge Dorling Kindersley Ltd
horned spurge RHS 2003

Synonyms

Euphorbia wallichii Kohli
Euphorbia longifolia misapplied

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Herbaceous Perennial
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A spreading perennial to 75cm in height, with reddish stems bearing narrowly oblong, dark green leaves with paler midrib, and clusters of bright yellow flowerheads in summer

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Chalk, Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.5-1 metres

Max Spread

0.5-1 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
2–5 years
Max Spread
0.5-1 metres
Max Height
0.5-1 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Loam Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun Partial shade
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing or East–facing
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

  • H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
  • H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
  • H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
  • H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
  • H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
  • H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
  • H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
  • H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
  • H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)
H5
Drought Resistance
Yes

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Euphorbiaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Clump forming
Potentially harmful
Humans/Pets: IRRITANT to skin/eyeharmful if eaten. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling. For further information and contact numbers regarding pets, see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants
Genus
Euphorbia can be annuals, perennials, shrubs or succulents, with milky sap and small flowers held within cupped, often colourful bracts
Name Status
Correct
Plant Range
N Pakistan to Himalaya

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in any normal garden soil that is moist but well-drained either in sun or in partial shade. See Euphorbia for further advice

Propagation

Propagate by seed sown in pots in a cold frame either when ripe or in spring. Propagate by division in early spring

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Coastal
  • Low Maintenance
  • Flower borders and beds

Pruning

Cut back flowering shoots to ground level in late summer or autumn

Pests

May be susceptible to aphids

Diseases

May be susceptible to grey moulds