Euphorbia x martinii

Description

Euphorbia x martinii – spurge

Botanical name: Euphorbia x martinii
Common names: Martin’s 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. 60–75cm tall × 60cm spread
Foliage: Narrow, blue-green leaves on red-tinted stems, the new growth flushed purple-red; evergreen
Flowers: Long-lasting heads of lime-green flower bracts with dark red centres, 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 x martinii is a handsome evergreen spurge with blue-green foliage on red-tinted stems and long-lasting lime-green flower bracts with red eyes in spring. Drought-tolerant, architectural and reliable.

GardenAdvice notes

A superb, reliable evergreen spurge, Euphorbia x martinii forms a bushy mound of blue-green foliage on red-tinted stems, with purple-red flushed new growth, and produces long-lasting heads of lime-green bracts with dark red centres from spring into early summer. Evergreen, drought-tolerant and architectural, it is one of the best all-round euphorbias for a sunny border or gravel garden.

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.
• Seed: May self-seed gently.

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 and containers, where its year-round evergreen structure, red-tinted stems and long-lasting lime bracts bring architectural quality and a long spring display.

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

Euphorbia x martinii is one of the best all-round euphorbias — evergreen structure all year, red-tinted stems, and acid-lime bracts with dark red eyes that last for weeks in spring. The one job is to cut the flowered stems right down to the base as they fade, leaving the new shoots to flower next year. Always wear gloves and eye protection, as the milky sap is a serious irritant.

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