PLANT LIBRARY

Description:

Truly one of the most visually striking perennials; upright stems are clothed with powder blue foliage symetrically arranged; stems may become woody at the base; it really lights up the garden or border edgings; also great for rock gardens

Ornamental Features

Mediterranean Spurge is primarily valued in the landscape or garden for its interestingly mounded form. It has masses of beautiful clusters of red flowers with chartreuse bracts held atop the stems from early spring to early summer, which are most effective when planted in groupings. Its attractive narrow leaves remain powder blue in color throughout the year.

Landscape Attributes

Mediterranean Spurge is an herbaceous evergreen perennial with a mounded form. Its medium texture blends into the garden, but can always be balanced by a couple of finer or coarser plants for an effective composition.

This is a relatively low maintenance plant, and should only be pruned after flowering to avoid removing any of the current season's flowers. Deer don't particularly care for this plant and will usually leave it alone in favor of tastier treats. It has no significant negative characteristics.

Mediterranean Spurge is recommended for the following landscape applications;

• Mass Planting
• Rock/Alpine Gardens
• Border Edging
• General Garden Use

Planting & Growing

Mediterranean Spurge will grow to be about 4 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 3 feet. It has a low canopy with a typical clearance of 1 foot from the ground. It grows at a medium rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for approximately 8 years. As an evegreen perennial, this plant will typically keep its form and foliage year-round.

This plant should only be grown in full sunlight. It prefers dry to average moisture levels with very well-drained soil, and will often die in standing water. It is considered to be drought-tolerant, and thus makes an ideal choice for a low-water garden or xeriscape application. It is not particular as to soil pH, but grows best in sandy soils. It is highly tolerant of urban pollution and will even thrive in inner city environments. This species is not originally from North America, and parts of it are known to be toxic to humans and animals, so care should be exercised in planting it around children and pets. It can be propagated by cuttings.