Euphorbias

[Bhuto McCarr]

Hello Fellow Gardeners,

Anybody know how Euphorbias work ?

I got two last year but one was struggling for light where I planted it so I have moved it to a sunnier, more open spot.

There are a lot of what look like hollow stems left when I cut back some of the heads.

Can they be pruned back to start again ?

Do they grow from the bottom of the plant like Sedum Spectabile for instance.
There are what looks like a couple of newish shoots showing at the base of the plant.

Help requested - do not want to lose it if at all possible. Last plants bought for the garden by my late wife.

Can post a picture ( once I know how to do that ) if it might help.

Ta in advance.

[Phil Occifer™]

Bhut,
I had to google Euphorbia to see what the heck you were on about (my gardening knowledge is just above lawn cutting at the mo.)
So now I know they are also called Spurge? and I thought I would post a piccy of it 'cause it's pretty

[Peek]

Bhuto, I have had 2 types of Euphorbia in my garden...I don't know the proper names, but one is purple and the other green.

The green ones are bordering on being weeds, they pop up all over the place, and I've pruned the ones I keep ( I tend to pull up self sewn seedlings now) quite low and they always renew themselves.

However we lost our purple one this year, it seemed to get eaten by something, which I think may have been ants, as it was in an area where a nest has developed. We had that in a sunny spot, so perhaps it really needed shade....but as we'd had no probs with the green variety, we thought that it would survive. So if you have a purple one , sorry, but I don't think I can help,lol.


Just as a side note, if anyone's thinking of getting a euphorbia, please be careful when pruning as the milky sap can be an irritant , I have to be very careful of it.

[Kelly Sigh]

Bhuto

take a look at this page *euphorbias* and see if you recognise which ones you have... then click on the name and it will bring up details of how to look after them etc.

Good luck

K xx

[carlott]

peek said:

Just as a side note, if anyone's thinking of getting a euphorbia, please be careful when pruning as the milky sap can be an irritant , I have to be very careful of it.

I once knew a milky sap like that

[faeryboots]

I spend half my time pulling the damn things up! They self sow like nothing on earth and with tyg four being very inquisitive they are quite dangerous to have around. Grrrrrrr!
Seriously though Bhuto, most are pretty hardy and you'll probably find it's fine if you ignore it.

[Bhuto McCarr]

carlott said:

peek said:

Just as a side note, if anyone's thinking of getting a euphorbia, please be careful when pruning as the milky sap can be an irritant , I have to be very careful of it.

I once knew a milky sap like that

*LOL*

[Bhuto McCarr]

peek said:

Bhuto, I have had 2 types of Euphorbia in my garden...I don't know the proper names, but one is purple and the other green.

The green ones are bordering on being weeds, they pop up all over the place, and I've pruned the ones I keep ( I tend to pull up self sewn seedlings now) quite low and they always renew themselves.

Hi Peek

It is too dark to check at the moment but I think the one I am interested in has green leaves with red / green flowers.

Going by your experiences with green ones I shouldn't have any worries.

The other one is still in the same spot I planted it in and has silver and grey leaves - white flowers I seem to recall.
It is growing well - about 3 - 4 feet tall now.

[Bhuto McCarr]

kellysigh said:

Bhuto

take a look at this page *euphorbias* and see if you recognise which ones you have... then click on the name and it will bring up details of how to look after them etc.

Good luck

K xx

Thanks Kel,

Good site. I have had a look and seen a couple that look familiar although maybe not the exact names as quoted there.

I will check in the garage in the morning to see if I still have the original plant tickets from when they were bought. I think I will be in luck as I don't usually throw things like that out.

Bhuto xx

[Bhuto McCarr]

faeryboots said:

I spend half my time pulling the damn things up! They self sow like nothing on earth and with tyg four being very inquisitive they are quite dangerous to have around. Grrrrrrr!
Seriously though Bhuto, most are pretty hardy and you'll probably find it's fine if you ignore it.

Thanks Faery,

I will keep a look out for these seedlings. Might get a few more plants next year if I am lucky.

They must be similar to Alchimelia Mollis in that respect then ?
I have to keep pulling those little rascals out

Step aside Mr Titchmarch.....

[Bhuto McCarr]

philofficer said:

So now I know they are also called Spurge? and I thought I would post a piccy of it 'cause it's pretty

They are indeed, phil.....

[Bhuto McCarr]

bhutomccarr said:

kellysigh said:

Bhuto

take a look at this page *euphorbias* and see if you recognise which ones you have... then click on the name and it will bring up details of how to look after them etc.

Good luck

K xx

Thanks Kel,

Good site. I have had a look and seen a couple that look familiar although maybe not the exact names as quoted there.

I will check in the garage in the morning to see if I still have the original plant tickets from when they were bought. I think I will be in luck as I don't usually throw things like that out.

Bhuto xx

Hi Kel,

Found the plant ticket I was looking for and the plant is called "Blackbird".
Checked site again and it looks like I am doing all of the right things.
Will keep an eye on it over next few weeks and months.

Thanks x

[Kelly Sigh]

bhutomccarr said:

bhutomccarr said:

Thanks Kel,

Good site. I have had a look and seen a couple that look familiar although maybe not the exact names as quoted there.

I will check in the garage in the morning to see if I still have the original plant tickets from when they were bought. I think I will be in luck as I don't usually throw things like that out.

Bhuto xx

Hi Kel,

Found the plant ticket I was looking for and the plant is called "Blackbird".
Checked site again and it looks like I am doing all of the right things.
Will keep an eye on it over next few weeks and months.

Thanks x

Good news, Bhuto!

K xx