Euphorbia mellifera
(Honey Spurge)
Family - Euphorbiaceae
Category - Perennial, shrub
Origin - Madeira, Canary Islands
Season of Interest - Spring, Summer
Hardiness - H3
Height - up to 2m
Width - up to 2m
Location - The Pond Garden
Description: A large Shrubby, Evergreen Perennial with a rounded, bushy habit. Narrow, oblong to lanceolate leaves are dark green, each with a white central vein. Each individual leaf can reach up to 20cm in length. The flower heads are composed of small, deep reddish-brown cyathia with pale orange nectaries at the centre. The Blooms are honey-scented. The flower heads are held in Cymes towards the tips of the stems and are produced from mid to late spring. The flowers are followed by round fruit covered in small bumps. Attractive to pollinating insects.
Award of Garden Merit (AGM).
Flower:
Small, honey-scented, reddish-brown cyathia have pale orange nectaries. The flower heads are held in cymes at the tips of the stems and are produced in April and May. The flowers are followed by small round, fruit covered in bumps.
Flower colour: Red
Flower shape: Cyathia flowers held in cymes
Flowering time: April, May
Foliage:
Narrowly oblong to lanceolate leaves are dark green with a white central vein. Each leaf can reach up to 20cm in length. The leaves are spirally arranged on the upright branches.
Foliage Senescence: Evergreen
Foliage Shape: Oblong, lanceolate
Poison Information:
This plant is poisonous.
This plant is poisonous if ingested and the sap may cause skin irritation.
Propagation:
Seed, cuttings, division.
Cultivation:
Best in a sheltered position in full sun to partial shade. Plant in moisture-retentive soil that is well-drained.