Euphorbia mellifera , also known as Honey Spurge or Canary Spurge deserves a special place in the limelight in my eyeshot . It is one of my absolute favourite garden plant and one I arise whenever I can .
From its fat aroma and take leafage to its impressive architectural form , Euphorbia melliferais a must - have for any garden that can accommodate its needs .
Let ’s plunge into what makes this plant life so exceptional — and how to grow it successfully in your garden .
Euphorbia mellifera byH.-U. Küenleis licensed underCC BY-SA 3.0
What is Euphorbia mellifera?
Euphorbia mellifera is a domed evergreen bush that brings both optical and olfactory ingathering to the garden . With its undimmed green , narrow leave-taking that tout a pale mid - vein and often a red - tinged edge , it propose year - round interest even when not in flower .
But what really sets this flora asunder are its flowers — which begin as a yellowy - orange and age into a plenteous reddish - brown . These look in late springiness , and if you take the air past them on a cheery day , you ’ll be delighted by their gratifying honey scent , hence the unwashed nameHoney Spurge .
Key Characteristics at a Glance
Why I Love It: A Gardener’s Perspective
Euphorbia mellifera is a that bring multiple season of pastime to the garden .
Even when not in bloom , the foliage is attractive and it ’s lovely vaulted shape give bodily structure to your planting , and it contrasts beautifully with finer or more architectural phase .
Then there ’s thehoney scent . It ’s subtle , not whelm , but obtrusive enough to stop you in your tracks during aspring stroll through the garden .
Euphorbia mellifera byH.-U. Küenleis licensed underCC BY-SA 3.0
It ’s one of those plants that adds a real sensorial experience .
Growing Conditions
Light
This plant thrive comfortably in full Dominicus , which help it develop strong ontogeny and more prolific flowering . It can tolerate some light shadowiness , specially in warmer climates , but sun exposure really brings out the foliage colour and heyday smell .
Soil
Euphorbia mellifera is n’t peculiarly busy about dirt type . It will turn happily in chalk , loam , or sandy soils , as long as the grime is well - debilitate . Poor drainage can lead to root rot , especially in wintertime , so avoid toilsome clay or waterlogged spots .
pH Range
It support a full pH stove — from acid to alkaline — cause it highly adaptable to unlike soil conditions .
Watering and Drought Tolerance
Once established , this shrub is very drought repellent . In fact , overwatering can do more harm than good . During its first year , body of water on a regular basis to help it establish a recondite root system . After that , it generally only involve water during extend dry spells .
Hardiness: Know Your Zone
This is where a bit of care is needed .
Euphorbia mellifera is rank H3 on theRHS hardinessscale , imply it ’s hardy in mild , coastal , or urban part of the UK , but not suitable for areas with protract frost or C . In the US , this corresponds roughly to USDA zones 9b and above .
If you ’re in a ice chest region , debate grow it in a sheltered microclimate — against a south - face wall , for example — or in a big container that can be incite under concealment during cold picnic .
Pruning and Maintenance
This plant is humbled - maintenance . After flowering , you could give it a swooning prune to maintain shape and take any spent flower head . Avoid burn into sometime Grant Wood , as this can dissemble regrowth .
Tip : wear thin glove when pruning ! Like many Euphorbias , this works exudes a milklike sap that can be irritate to the skin and harmful if it gets in your eyes .
Propagation
Propagation is best done by semi - ripe cuttings in later summer . Let the sap dry out out slightly before potting up , and always use gloves and eye protection when handling geld material .
The works also sometimes self - cum and I have recently civilise some young plant by potting up and growing on some seedlings that have appear next to my mother plant .
Pests and Diseases
Euphorbia melliferais relatively pest- and disease - free , especially when uprise in optimum conditions . Occasionally , you might see aphids or mealybugs , but these are broadly speaking not serious and can be dealt with using a horticultural scoop sprayer .
Design Ideas and Companion Planting
This plant is a statement bush , ideal for the centre or back of a borderline . Its domed shape and vibrant foliage line attractively with finer - will perennials and ornamental grasses .
Great associate flora include :
Final Thoughts: Why Euphorbia mellifera Deserves a Spot in Your Garden
To enfold up , in my view , Euphorbia melliferais one of those underrated gems in the plant public . It ’s bold , fragrant , and astonishingly easy to give care for .
Yes , it ’s not the brave shrub out there , but if you ’re in a desirable clime — or unforced to give it a bit of wintertime protection — it will reward you year after year .
Martin Cole has been an avid plant buff and gardener for more than 20 years and loves to talk and save about horticulture . In 2006 he was a finalist in the BBC Gardener of the Year rival . He is a phallus of the National dahlia Society .
He previously lived in London and Sydney , Australia , where he took a diploma course in Horticultural written report and is now found in North Berwick in Scotland . He founded GardeningStepbyStep.com in 2012 . The internet site is direct at everybody who loves plant life or has been burn by the horticulture germ and wants to get laid more .
Gardening Step by Step has beencited by Thompson and Morgan , the UK ’s largest mail order plant retail merchant , as a website that publishes expert gardening subject matter .
Euphorbia mellifera byH.-U. Küenleis licensed underCC BY-SA 3.0
