With its candelabra shape and distinctive Cactus-like appearance, Euphorbia eritrea makes a superb specimen for your home or a warm conservatory. This majestic plant reaches colossal sizes in its native home of the African tropics but should remain perfectly manageable in your home.
Plants with architectural interest are often quite large but Euphorbia 'Glacier Blue' is just 60cm wide and 60cm tall so everyone can find a space for it. The blue-green leaves are highlighted with cream edges so will give a silver effect that will be very welcome in winter gardens. From March to June tall stems of nectar-rich creamy green flowers will emerge to stand proud over the contrasting variegated foliage. With the extra feature of being drought resistant Euphorbia ?Glacier Blue' makes the perfect compact plant for low-maintenance borders and as cut flowers too. Height and spread: 60cm (24).
For colour throughout the year in a sunny spot, this rainbow Spurge is hard to beat! With bright gold edges to blue-grey leaves, it is always sure to catch the eye. In winter, the foliage takes on a rosy pink tinge, while from spring to early summer, exotic flowers of lime green, each with a contrasting eye, grow towards the tip of each stem. Euphorbia x martini 'Ascot Rainbow' is a good low-maintenance plant, perfect for the front of borders or in containers on the patio. Once established, this Milkweed is tolerant of drought. Height and spread: 50cm (20).
Euphorbia amygdaloides 'Ruby Glow' features bright lime green flowers on red stems between April and June, providing a spectacular display. This hardy evergreen perennial has a tidy, compact habit with dark purple foliage and glowing red new growth in spring. This Milkweed variety is perfect for adding an exotic feel to the front of your lightly shaded or sunny borders. Height and spread: 45cm (18).
Showy, exotic and with evergreen foliage, this Spurge puts on a great display all year round. In April, tall flower spires rise above the foliage bearing a mass of lime green flowers, each with a black eye gleaming at its centre. These tall, architectural flower spires stay on the plant from spring until the first frosts of winter, making it one of the longest flowering of garden plants. Euphorbia characias 'Black Pearl' is an excellent choice for a dry, sunny Mediterranean-style garden and will withstand drought. The nectar of Milkweed is attractive to pollinating insects. Height and Spread: 60cm (24).
Perfect for those challenging shaded areas beneath deciduous trees, or meandering through cottage garden borders! Euphorbia amygdaloides 'Purpurea' is a compact evergreen perennial that will seed freely once established, making superb groundcover.
If you buy just one Euphorbia for your garden, make it this one..