Euphorbia rigida (upright myrtle spurge) — Clump-forming, upright or spreading sub-shrub

Overview

Euphorbia rigida 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 0.5 metres tall. Euphorbia rigida 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. It is native to S Europe, SW Asia and NW Africa.

About

Euphorbia rigida is a clump-forming perennial spurge with an upright or spreading sub-shrub habit and narrow, often blue-grey leaves. It reaches about 0.5 metres and flowers from May to September. Plants prefer well-drained soils and tolerate a range of soil pH. Wear gloves and eye protection when handling because the sap is an irritant and the plant is harmful if eaten.

Wikipedia contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0 — Euphorbia rigida

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 rigida is a perennial member of the Euphorbiaceae native to southern Europe, southwest Asia and northwest Africa. It forms a compact clump of narrow, frequently blue-grey (glaucous) leaves and grows to roughly 0.5 metres. The species flowers in the UK between May and September. Choose a site in full sun to partial shade where the soil drains well; light to moderately fertile loam, sand or chalk suit it best and it tolerates acid, neutral or alkaline pH. Most plants dislike winter wet, so avoid heavy clay or waterlogged hollows. Woodland forms will tolerate dry shade, and the plant will do well in either exposed or sheltered situations. Hardiness is H4–H7, meaning average to fully hardy across most of the UK. Plant at the same depth as the nursery container, allow room for a clump roughly 0.5 metres across, and avoid locations that remain soggy through winter. Take care when pruning or cutting back flowering stems: the milky sap can irritate skin and eyes, so use gloves and eye protection and remove any debris promptly to reduce the risk to children or pets.

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 rigida 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: 0.5 metres
Native to: S Europe, SW Asia, NW Africa
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 rigida

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 rigida?

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 rigida?

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

What soil does Euphorbia rigida need?

Euphorbia rigida 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 rigida?

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 rigida grow?

Euphorbia rigida reaches a height of 0.5 metres.

Is Euphorbia rigida hardy in the UK?

Euphorbia rigida 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 rigida?

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 rigida 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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