Euphorbia Red Wing

Description

Euphorbia x martinii ‘Red Wing’ – spurge

Botanical name: Euphorbia x martinii ‘Red Wing’
Common names: Spurge
Family: Euphorbiaceae (spurge family)
Plant type: Evergreen perennial or sub-shrub
Habit: Bushy, upright, mound-forming
Pot size: 2–3 litre pot
Eventual size: Approx. 50–60cm tall × 50cm spread
Foliage: Narrow, blue-green leaves on red-tinted stems, the new growth flushed red; evergreen
Flowers: Heads of lime-green flower bracts, each with a striking dark red eye, in spring and early summer (April–June)
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 H5 (hardy, to about −15°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 ‘Red Wing’ is a striking evergreen spurge with red-flushed new growth and lime-green flower bracts with dark red eyes in spring. Compact, drought-tolerant and superb for sunny borders and gravel.

GardenAdvice notes

A handsome, compact evergreen spurge, ‘Red Wing’ combines blue-green foliage on red-tinted stems with red-flushed new growth, and in spring bears long-lasting heads of lime-green bracts, each with a striking dark red eye. Evergreen, drought-tolerant and neat, it gives year-round structure and a spectacular spring display in a sunny border, gravel garden or container.

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

Once the flowerheads fade, cut the flowered stems right down to the base of the plant, leaving the new non-flowering shoots to grow on and flower the following year — this keeps the plant tidy and vigorous. 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.

Pests & diseases

Generally trouble-free in a sunny, well-drained spot. Its main enemy is wet, heavy soil. Euphorbia rust and aphids occasionally occur. Otherwise easy and reliable.

Uses in the garden

Superb in sunny, gravel and Mediterranean-style borders, containers and modern plantings, where its evergreen structure, red-flushed growth and dark-eyed lime bracts give a long season of interest.

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

‘Red Wing’ is a smart, compact euphorbia — lime-green bracts each with a dark red eye, red-tinted stems and neat evergreen structure, so it earns its place all year. Cut the flowered stems right down to the base once they fade, leaving the new shoots for next year, and always wear gloves and eye protection, as the milky sap is a serious irritant.

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