Euphorbia griffithii 'Dixter' (spurge 'Dixter') — Clump-forming, upright or spreading sub-shrub

Overview

Euphorbia griffithii 'Dixter' 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. Euphorbia griffithii 'Dixter' 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.

About

A clump-forming perennial, Euphorbia griffithii 'Dixter' is an upright or spreading sub-shrub grown for its narrow, often blue-grey leaves that may take on red tones in autumn. It flowers from May to September with red and yellow blooms. Plants suit full sun to partial shade and prefer well-drained soils. Wear gloves and eye protection when handling because it can irritate skin and eyes and is harmful if eaten.

Wikipedia contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0 — Euphorbia griffithii

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 griffithii 'Dixter' is a clump-forming perennial in the Euphorbiaceae suited to gardeners who want a structural, long-flowering spurge. Native-range notes in botanical sources indicate an Asian origin, but garden use focuses on its season-long bloom and coloured foliage. In the UK it flowers from May to September, producing red and yellow flowerheads while narrow, often blue-grey leaves sometimes develop red tints in autumn. Position the plant in full sun to partial shade; woodland strains tolerate dry shade. It favours light to moderately fertile loam, sand or chalk and will grow on acid, neutral or alkaline soils provided they are well drained—most specimens dislike winter wet. Aspect can be any and plants tolerate both exposed and sheltered sites. Hardiness is H4–H7, meaning it performs from average to fully hardy conditions in the UK. Use Euphorbia griffithii 'Dixter' in mixed herbaceous borders, gravel gardens or under sparse trees where its upright or spreading habit can be shown without waterlogged roots. Take care when cutting back spent stems or clearing flowerheads: the plant is an irritant to skin and eyes and is harmful if eaten, so wear gloves and eye protection during maintenance.

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 griffithii 'Dixter' 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
Suggested uses: Mediterranean climate plants, City and courtyard gardens, Cottage and informal garden, Gravel garden, Flower borders and beds
Toxicity: Humans/Pets: IRRITANT to skin/eyes, 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 griffithii 'Dixter'

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 griffithii 'Dixter'?

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 griffithii 'Dixter'?

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

What soil does Euphorbia griffithii 'Dixter' need?

Euphorbia griffithii 'Dixter' 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 griffithii 'Dixter'?

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.

Is Euphorbia griffithii 'Dixter' hardy in the UK?

Euphorbia griffithii 'Dixter' 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 griffithii 'Dixter'?

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 griffithii 'Dixter' toxic?

Humans/Pets: IRRITANT to skin/eyes, 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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