Euphorbia niciciana (Spurge) — Clump-forming, upright or spreading sub-shrub

Overview

Euphorbia niciciana 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 niciciana 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.

About

Euphorbia niciciana is a clump-forming perennial spurge in the family Euphorbiaceae, growing as an upright or spreading sub-shrub. It has narrow, often blue-grey or glaucous leaves that may be evergreen, semi-evergreen or deciduous depending on situation. Flowering occurs from May to September. Plants can show a red tint to the foliage in autumn.

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 niciciana sits in the large Euphorbiaceae family and forms a clump of upright or spreading stems, behaving as a perennial sub-shrub. Leaves are narrow and frequently glaucous, with seasonal variability from evergreen to deciduous; flowering runs from May to September. Give it full sun to partial shade; woodland forms will tolerate dry shade. It prefers light to moderately fertile soils such as loam, sand or chalk and is adaptable across acid, neutral and alkaline pH. Good winter drainage is important because most plants dislike prolonged winter wet. Aspect is flexible and plants tolerate both exposed and sheltered sites. Hardiness is H4–H7, which translates to average to fully hardy across much of the UK, so it can be relied on outside in most regions. Use Euphorbia niciciana on sunny borders with free-draining soil, on chalk banks or gravel areas, and in drier shaded spots at the edge of woodland where its tolerance of dry shade is useful. Its narrow, often blue-grey leaves give season-long form and can develop a red tint in autumn.

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 niciciana 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

Care notes

Pruning and caring for Euphorbia niciciana

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 niciciana?

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 niciciana?

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

What soil does Euphorbia niciciana need?

Euphorbia niciciana 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 niciciana?

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 niciciana hardy in the UK?

Euphorbia niciciana 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 niciciana?

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.

More in the Euphorbia genus

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