Euphorbia amygdaloides (wood spurge) — Clump-forming, upright or spreading sub-shrub

Overview

Euphorbia amygdaloides is a clump-forming, upright or spreading sub-shrub perennial in the genus Euphorbia, part of the Euphorbiaceae family, with evergreen, semi-evergreen or deciduous; narrow, often blue-grey or glaucous, sometimes red-tinted in autumn foliage. It typically grows around 0.8 metres tall. Euphorbia amygdaloides grows best in full sun to partial shade; the woodland species tolerate dry shade, and tolerates light to moderately fertile loam and sand or chalk soils and acid and neutral or alkaline pH. Its UK hardiness is rated H4-H7. It is native to Belgium, Brussels-Capital Region, Flemish Region, Walloon Region, Flanders and Grand Duchy of Luxembourg.

About

Euphorbia amygdaloides is a clump-forming perennial sub-shrub noted for narrow, often blue-grey (glaucous) leaves and tolerance of dry shade. It reaches about 0.8 metres and flowers from May to September. Suited to full sun through partial shade, the woodland forms will tolerate dry shade under trees. The plant’s milky sap is an irritant and gloves and eye protection should be used when handling.

Wikipedia contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0 — Euphorbia amygdaloides

About the genus

Euphorbia is a large and diverse genus of flowering plants, commonly called spurge, in the family Euphorbiaceae.

Wikipedia contributors, "Euphorbia", CC BY-SA 4.0 — Euphorbia

In the garden

Euphorbia amygdaloides is a clump-forming perennial in the Euphorbiaceae, native to parts of Belgium and Luxembourg. It carries narrow leaves that are often blue-grey or glaucous and may take on a red tint in autumn; flowering occurs from May to September. The habit is an upright or spreading sub-shrub to roughly 0.8 metres. Give it full sun to partial shade; the woodland strains will tolerate dry shade beneath trees. It prefers light to moderately fertile loam, sand or chalk and will grow across acid, neutral or alkaline soils. Good drainage is important — most plants dislike winter wet — and it will grow on any aspect in both exposed and sheltered locations. In UK terms it sits in hardiness range H4–H7 (average to fully hardy), so it survives in most garden situations where frost is not extreme. Use Euphorbia amygdaloides where narrow, grey-tinged foliage is wanted: under trees, as an edge or in mixed shrub borders. When planting or pruning, wear gloves and eye protection because the milky latex is an irritant; take care with contact on skin or eyes.

Growing conditions

Best soil and position for Euphorbia

Sunlight: Full sun to partial shade; the woodland species tolerate dry shade
Soil type: Light to moderately fertile loam, sand or chalk
Soil pH: Acid, neutral or alkaline
Soil moisture: Well drained; most dislike winter wet
Aspect: Any
Exposure: Exposed or sheltered
UK hardiness: H4-H7

Plant details

Euphorbia amygdaloides size, habit and characteristics

Plant type: Perennial
Habit: Clump-forming, upright or spreading sub-shrub
Foliage: Evergreen, semi-evergreen or deciduous; narrow, often blue-grey or glaucous, sometimes red-tinted in autumn
Height: 0.8 metres
Native to: Belgium, Brussels-Capital Region, Flemish Region, Walloon Region, Flanders, Grand Duchy of Luxembourg
Toxicity: 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

Care notes

Pruning and caring for Euphorbia amygdaloides

Cultivation: Easy and largely self-sufficient given drainage. The milky sap is a genuine irritant to skin and eyes, so wear gloves and eye protection when cutting back and never handle the plant in strong sun. Most flower on stems produced the previous year, which makes correct timing of the cut essential. The spreading species can be invasive in loose soil, so site them accordingly.
Pruning: On the shrubby evergreen kinds, cut flowered stems right to the base once the bracts fade in summer, leaving this season's new shoots to flower next year. Cut herbaceous species down in late autumn.
Propagation: Divide herbaceous kinds in spring. Take basal cuttings of shrubby species in spring and rinse the cut end to stop the latex sealing it. Many self-seed freely.
Pest resistance: Rarely troubled by pests; aphids occasionally gather on soft new growth.
Disease resistance: Generally healthy. Euphorbia rust causes orange spotting and distorted shoots on some species and affected growth should be removed.

Frequently asked questions

How do I grow Euphorbia amygdaloides?

Easy and largely self-sufficient given drainage. The milky sap is a genuine irritant to skin and eyes, so wear gloves and eye protection when cutting back and never handle the plant in strong sun. Most flower on stems produced the previous year, which makes correct timing of the cut essential. The spreading species can be invasive in loose soil, so site them accordingly.

Where is the best place to plant Euphorbia amygdaloides?

Euphorbia amygdaloides prefers full sun to partial shade; the woodland species tolerate dry shade. It suits exposed or sheltered positions.

What soil does Euphorbia amygdaloides need?

Euphorbia amygdaloides grows best in light to moderately fertile loam and sand or chalk soil. It prefers acid and neutral or alkaline soil. Aim for soil that stays well drained; most dislike winter wet.

How do I prune Euphorbia amygdaloides?

On the shrubby evergreen kinds, cut flowered stems right to the base once the bracts fade in summer, leaving this season's new shoots to flower next year. Cut herbaceous species down in late autumn.

How big does Euphorbia amygdaloides grow?

Euphorbia amygdaloides reaches a height of 0.8 metres.

Is Euphorbia amygdaloides hardy in the UK?

Euphorbia amygdaloides has an RHS hardiness rating of H4, meaning it is hardy through an average UK winter, tolerating -10 to -5°C.

How do I propagate Euphorbia amygdaloides?

Divide herbaceous kinds in spring. Take basal cuttings of shrubby species in spring and rinse the cut end to stop the latex sealing it. Many self-seed freely.

Is Euphorbia amygdaloides toxic?

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.

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