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

Overview

Euphorbia griffithii 'Fireglow' 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 'Fireglow' 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

Euphorbia griffithii 'Fireglow' is a clump-forming perennial spurge with an upright or spreading sub-shrub habit. Its narrow leaves are often glaucous or blue-grey and may take on red tones in autumn. Flowering occurs from May to September. The sap is an irritant to skin and eyes and the plant is harmful if eaten, so wear gloves and eye protection when handling.

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

A clump-forming perennial in the Euphorbiaceae, Euphorbia griffithii 'Fireglow' carries narrow, often blue-grey (glaucous) leaves that can become red-tinted in autumn; flowerheads appear from May to September in season. The habit is upright or spreading, producing multiple stems from the crown as it grows. Plant where it receives full sun to partial shade; woodland forms will tolerate drier shade. It prefers light to moderately fertile soils such as loam, sand or chalk and accepts acid, neutral or alkaline pH. Good drainage is essential because most plants dislike winter wet, and the species suits any aspect and both exposed and sheltered sites. Hardiness is rated H4–H7, equivalent to average to fully hardy conditions across the UK. Use Euphorbia griffithii 'Fireglow' where its coloured foliage and summer flowerheads can show against paler planting or structural evergreens; it performs on sandy or chalky ground and in drier shaded margins. Take care when pruning, dividing or cutting back: the milky sap irritates skin and eyes, so handle with gloves and eye protection.

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 'Fireglow' 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/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 griffithii 'Fireglow'

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 'Fireglow'?

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 'Fireglow'?

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

What soil does Euphorbia griffithii 'Fireglow' need?

Euphorbia griffithii 'Fireglow' 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 'Fireglow'?

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 'Fireglow' hardy in the UK?

Euphorbia griffithii 'Fireglow' 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 'Fireglow'?

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 'Fireglow' 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.

More in the Euphorbia genus

Browse all Euphorbia →