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

Overview

Euphorbia amygdaloides 'Purpurea' 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 'Purpurea' 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. Suggested uses include mediterranean climate plants, city and courtyard gardens, cottage and informal garden, gravel garden and flower borders and beds. It is native to Belgium, Brussels-Capital Region, Flemish Region, Walloon Region, Flanders and Grand Duchy of Luxembourg.

About

Euphorbia amygdaloides 'Purpurea' is a clump-forming perennial spurge noted for its narrow, often blue-grey leaves that can flush red in autumn. It develops as an upright or spreading sub-shrub to about 0.8 metres and produces green-yellow cyathia from May to September. The plant suits full sun to partial shade and will tolerate the dry shade beneath trees. The milky latex is an irritant, so wear gloves and eye protection 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 'Purpurea' belongs to the Euphorbiaceae and is native to regions around Belgium and Luxembourg. Foliage behaviour varies with site conditions and can be evergreen, semi-evergreen or deciduous; leaves are typically narrow and glaucous, sometimes taking a red tint in autumn. Flowering runs from May to September, when the green-yellow cyathia appear. Plant into a free-draining spot on light to moderately fertile loam, sand or chalk; the species copes with a wide soil pH (acid to alkaline) but dislikes winter wet. Give it full sun to partial shade — it will tolerate dry shade where many other perennials struggle — and position it on any aspect in exposed or sheltered situations. Hardiness H4–H7 means it will survive most UK gardens from average to fully hardy locations. At roughly 0.8 metres tall it suits mixed borders, the edge of a woodland planting or dry shady ground cover beneath trees. Take care when cutting back or dividing: the milky sap can irritate skin and eyes, so use gloves and protective eyewear and consult the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants if in doubt.

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 'Purpurea' 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
Suggested uses: Mediterranean climate plants, City and courtyard gardens, Cottage and informal garden, Gravel garden, Flower borders and beds
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 'Purpurea'

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 'Purpurea'?

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 'Purpurea'?

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

What soil does Euphorbia amygdaloides 'Purpurea' need?

Euphorbia amygdaloides 'Purpurea' 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 'Purpurea'?

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 'Purpurea' grow?

Euphorbia amygdaloides 'Purpurea' reaches a height of 0.8 metres.

Is Euphorbia amygdaloides 'Purpurea' hardy in the UK?

Euphorbia amygdaloides 'Purpurea' 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 'Purpurea'?

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 'Purpurea' 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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