Euphorbia Purpurea

Description

Euphorbia amygdaloides ‘Purpurea’ – purple wood spurge

Botanical name: Euphorbia amygdaloides ‘Purpurea’
Common names: Purple wood spurge
Family: Euphorbiaceae (spurge family)
Plant type: Evergreen perennial
Habit: Upright, clump-forming
Pot size: 2–3 litre pot
Eventual size: Approx. 45–60cm tall × 45cm spread
Foliage: Narrow leaves in deep purple-red, richest in winter and in good light, on dark purple stems; evergreen
Flowers: Airy heads of acid lime-green flower bracts in spring, contrasting strikingly with the purple foliage (April–May)
Scent: Not notably scented
Aspect / light: Full sun to partial shade
Soil: Well-drained; poor to average; drought-tolerant; dislikes wet; any pH
Hardiness: RHS H6 (hardy, to about −20°C); USDA zones 6–9
Exposure: Open, sunny; drought-tolerant
Native range: Garden form; the genus is native to Europe and beyond
Toxicity / pet & child safety: Caution — the milky sap is a serious skin and eye irritant, and the plant is harmful if eaten; always wear gloves and eye protection when cutting

Euphorbia ‘Purpurea’ is a striking purple wood spurge with deep purple-red evergreen foliage and airy acid-lime spring bracts. Superb contrast for sunny and lightly shaded borders, and happy in dry shade.

GardenAdvice notes

A beautiful form of our native wood spurge, ‘Purpurea’ has deep purple-red foliage on dark stems, at its richest in winter and in good light, topped in spring by airy heads of acid lime-green bracts — a spectacular colour contrast. Unlike most euphorbias it is a woodlander at heart, tolerating dry shade as well as sun, and it self-seeds gently to weave through a planting.

Growing & planting

Plant in spring or autumn in well-drained soil in full sun to partial shade — euphorbias thrive on poor, dry soils and dislike rich, wet ground. Improve heavy soil with grit. Space appropriately for size. Water only while establishing; thereafter they are drought-tolerant.

Care & maintenance

Cut the flowered stems right down to the base as they fade, leaving the new shoots to flower next year. It self-seeds gently, so remove unwanted seedlings; note seedlings may come greener. Water only while establishing. Crucially, always wear gloves, cover your arms and protect your eyes when cutting or handling euphorbia, as the milky sap is a serious irritant. Wash any sap off skin immediately.

Propagation

• Cuttings: Take softwood cuttings in spring, dipping the cut ends in water to stop the sap bleeding.
• Seed: Self-seeds gently, though seedlings vary in the depth of purple colouring.

Pests & diseases

Generally trouble-free. Euphorbia rust, mildew and aphids can occasionally occur, especially in dry, crowded conditions. Otherwise easy and reliable in sun or dry shade.

Uses in the garden

Superb in sunny and lightly shaded borders, woodland edges and dry shade under shrubs, where its deep purple evergreen foliage and acid-lime spring bracts make one of the most striking colour contrasts in the garden.

Wildlife value

The long-lasting flowerheads are attractive to bees, hoverflies and other pollinating insects, particularly valuable in spring when few other plants are in flower.

Toxicity & safety

All euphorbias exude a milky white sap when cut or damaged, which is a serious irritant — it can cause painful skin rashes and burns, and is especially dangerous if it gets in the eyes. Always wear gloves, cover your arms and protect your eyes when cutting or handling it, wash any sap off immediately, and keep it away from children and pets. The plant is also harmful if eaten.

GardenAdvice tip

The purple wood spurge is a wonderful thing — that clash of deep purple-red foliage against acid-lime spring bracts is one of the best colour contrasts in gardening, and unlike most euphorbias it copes happily with dry shade under shrubs. Cut spent flower stems to the base, and always wear gloves and eye protection, as the sap is a serious irritant.

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