Euphorbia palustris (Marsh spurge) — Bushy

Overview

Euphorbia palustris is a bushy herbaceous perennial in the genus Euphorbia, part of the Euphorbiaceae family, with deciduous foliage. It typically grows around 0.5-1 metres tall and 0.5-1 metres wide, reaching full size in around 2-5 years. Euphorbia palustris grows best in full sun, and tolerates clay and loam soils and any pH. Its UK hardiness is rated H5. It is drought resistant. Suggested uses include city and courtyard gardens, cottage and informal garden, gravel garden, flower borders and beds and wildlife gardens. It is native to Albania, Altay, Austria, Baltic States, Belarus, Belgium, Bulgaria, Central European Russia, Corse, Czechia-Slovakia, Denmark and East European Russia.

About

Euphorbia palustris, the marsh spurge or marsh euphorbia, is a species of flowering plant in the family Euphorbiaceae, native to marshland throughout much of mainland Europe and western Asia. It is an herbaceous perennial growing to 90 cm (35 in) tall and wide, with narrow leaves turning red and yellow in autumn, and persistent, bright acid yellow flower-heads (cyathia), 15 cm (6 in) across, in spring. It was published and first described by Carl Linnaeus in his book, Species Plantarum on page 462 in 1753. It prefers permanently moist conditions in full sun, hence the common name "marsh spurge" and the Latin specific epithet palustris, "of marshland". Mature plants reach roughly 0.5-1 metres tall and 0.5-1 metres wide, carrying deciduous foliage. In the garden it prefers full sun and clay and loam soil. It tolerates soil of any pH, moist but well-drained conditions and south-facing and west-facing aspects.

Wikipedia contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0 — Euphorbia palustris

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

Growing conditions

Best soil and position for Euphorbia

Sunlight: Full sun
Soil type: Clay, Loam
Soil pH: Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moisture: Moist but well-drained
Aspect: South-facing, West-facing
Exposure: Exposed, Sheltered
UK hardiness: H5

Plant details

Euphorbia palustris size, habit and characteristics

Plant type: Herbaceous Perennial, Bogs
Habit: Bushy
Foliage: Deciduous
Height: 0.5-1 metres
Spread: 0.5-1 metres
Time to full height: 2-5 years
Suggested uses: City and courtyard gardens, Cottage and informal garden, Gravel garden, Flower borders and beds, Wildlife gardens
Native to: Albania, Altay, Austria, Baltic States, Belarus, Belgium, Bulgaria, Central European Russia, Corse, Czechia-Slovakia, Denmark, East European Russia
Toxicity: Contains a milky sap that can be irritating to skin and toxic if ingested.

Care notes

Pruning and caring for Euphorbia palustris

Cultivation: Prefers permanently moist conditions in full sun; tolerates soil of any pH; best grown in clay or loam soil; suitable for bog gardens and moist borders.
Pruning: Cut back after flowering to maintain shape and encourage fresh growth.
Propagation: Seed, Division, Offsets, Basal cuttings
Pest resistance: Aphids, Mealybugs
Disease resistance: Generally disease-free

Frequently asked questions

How do I grow Euphorbia palustris?

Prefers permanently moist conditions in full sun; tolerates soil of any pH; best grown in clay or loam soil; suitable for bog gardens and moist borders.