Not the plant you're looking for? Search over 300,000 plants

Herbaceous Perennial

Euphorbia portlandica

Portland spurge

An uncommon native biennial or short-lived perennial, found on the coast around Ireland, Wales and south-west England. Distinctive red stems, which can reach up to 40cm, carry whorls of narrow, rather fleshy, smooth, blue-green leaves. Small clusters of yellow-green, cup-shaped flowers, surrounded by green bracts, develop from May to August

Other common names

llaethlys Portland

Save to My plants

Buy this plant

Plant nurseries
4 suppliers

Ultimate height

0.1–0.5 metres

Time to ultimate height

2–5 years

Ultimate spread

0.1–0.5 metres

Sand

Moisture

Well–drained

pH

Alkaline, Neutral

	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Full sun

Aspect

South–facing or West–facing

Exposure

Exposed or Sheltered

Drought resistance

Yes

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)

Botanical details

Family: Euphorbiaceae
Native to GB / Ireland: Yes
Foliage: Deciduous
Habit: Clump forming
Potentially harmful: Humans/Pets: IRRITANT to skin/eye, harmful 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

How to grow

Cultivation

Grows naturally on sand dunes and grassy areas by the sea, so very tolerant of coastal conditions. Needs free-draining soil in a sunny spot

Propagation

Propagate by seed

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Coastal
Gravel garden

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free

Get involved

The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.