The euphorbia is a true cosmopolitan among other plants, because it feels great everywhere. The genus Euphorbia ranges from Australia, through Asia, Europe, Africa, to both Americas.Some species even inhabit desert areas and at first glance resemble cacti.Others, such as E. pulcherrima, grow in tropical forests of North America, where they can reach heights of up to 4 meters .
They have been present in Poland for a long time and are very often grown in rural gardens. The most popular are the two-year-old pea spurge E. lathyris and the one-year-old white spurge E. marginata.
Most species are native to the Mediterranean basin.The fact that they have also perfectly adapted to our climatic conditions and tolerate wintering better and better is a consequence of global climate warming.Most of the varieties we cultivate come from breeding and it is thanks to the persistent work of Mediterranean spurge breeders are becoming more and more durable and prettier.
The spurge's flowers look very unusual up close. In a strictly botanical sense, these are flowers, which are transformed leaves surrounding an inconspicuous true flower. This flower is very small and is located in the very center of the leaf rosette.The spurge moth flowers can be yellow, red or almost black, while its leaves are mostly yellow-green.Depending on the variety, the buds form shimmering umbrellas, large balls or pole-like inflorescences up to 30 centimeters long.
Spurgeons look attractive during the flowering period - also from a distance. The inflorescences are usually much darker than the leaves, which gives the impression of a variety of colors.Flowering, depending on the species, can occur in spring, summer or fall.One of the spurge's many advantages is that it looks attractive even without flowers, because its stems shimmer with many shades of green - from fresh spring, through cool with a hint of purple, to elegant with a silvery coating. Two-color varieties, such as the white-green 'Emmer Green', belonging to the species E. characias wulfenii, are also exceptionally beautiful.
Euphorbia myrtle E. myrsinites grows low and produces silvery leaves. It belongs to evergreen and works best in rockeries, on slopes, walls and on the edges of paths. A truly fiery temperament is the Himalayan spurge Griffith E. griffithii. Its inflorescences blaze with shades of red and orange, contrasting interestingly with the elegant gray-green foliage. Although this species is not winter-hardy, it is worth having it in your home collection due to its unique autumn coloration.The 'Fireglow' variety is also worth recommending.
Euphorbia plants are valuable structural plants, thanks to which the garden maintains its attractive appearance not only in summer, but also in winter. The most important evergreen species is E. characias. Its varieties differ significantly from each other and it is sometimes difficult to even guess that they are related in any way - this, however, makes this species even more attractive.
The wolfdog would not have spread so massively and would not have gained such enormous popularity, if it were not for its modest requirements.Most species grow well in sunny to semi-shaded locations in a well-drained humus soil.Shade-tolerant varieties are also available, such as the amygdala E.amygdaloides. It can be successfully used for a variety of cover plantings.
In order to prevent the spurgehawk from spreading, flower shoots should be trimmed immediately after blooming.Untreated, they can appear in many places in the garden in a relatively short time.Some leaf-shedding species, such as the golden spurge E. polychroma, it is good to lead them over a special support, otherwise the shoots will start place strongly and our garden may then seem a bit neglected.
Finally, a caution: the spurge is a poisonous plant, so handle it carefully. Its milk juice can cause allergic reactions immediately after contact with the skin.You should also pay attention not to rub your eyes with your dirty hand.Remember - to meet the spurge without protective gloves, do not move.
