code: 973
A slow-growing gem of the euphorbia family
Family: Euphorbiaceae
Common name: Purple Wood Spurge
Plant Classification: Hardy perennial
Minimum Height: 40 cm
Maximum Height: 50 cm
Packet Content(approx.): 5
This beauty makes beetroot-coloured spring foliage, an attractive contrast with the golden yellow “flower heads”. A slow-growing gem of the euphorbia family, that spreads mainly only by seeds,and it sets very few, but which makes an elegant spring bonus in any border.
Sowing advice:
For best results, sow seeds immediately onto a good soil-based compost. Cover the seeds with fine grit or compost to approximately their own depth. They can be sown at any time, and germination can sometimes be quicker if kept at 15 to 20 degrees C. However, we sow most seeds in an unheated greenhouse and wait for natural germination as many seeds have built-in dormancy mechanisms, and often wait for spring before emerging regardless of when they are sown. But spring sowing will obviously give them a full season of growth if successful germination occurs.
Sun and Soil Requirements
Grow this dark-leaved perennial in well-drained soil of average fertility and in full sun to partial shade. Full sun can improve the leaf color.
Uses in Landscaping
Euphorbia amygdaloides ‘Purpurea’ makes for a good rock garden plant or edging plant. It also can work at the edge of a woodland garden, provided there is sufficient sunlight.
Toxicity Warning (and Benefit)
Euphorbia amygdaloides ‘Purpurea’ is a poisonous plant. Once you are aware that these plants are related to Christmas poinsettias (Euphorbia is a huge genus), their toxicity should come as no surprise. Many people have an allergic reaction to poinsettias. Both wood spurge and poinsettia exude a milky, white sap when damaged.
The latex in purple wood spurge can irritate the eyes and skin upon contact. It is also poisonous to eat. Parents of small children should think twice about growing this perennial if the children will be spending any time in the yard without vigilant supervision.
The flip side of purple wood spurge’s toxicity is that it is a deer-resistant perennial; deer know better than to eat a poisonous plant. Rabbits and various other pests reputedly won’t eat it, either.
Pruning and Cleanup
Purple wood spurge is not especially amenable to pruning, nor is pruning usually necessary since it’s not a large plant. If you do prune it, don’t expect re-growth to occur quickly.?
Furthermore, the plant blooms on the previous year’s growth, so if you decide to prune (and if you value the flowers), wait until after the blooming period. Under some conditions, the plant may get leggy enough that you might want to prune it to restore compactness.
Cleanup is a separate issue from pruning. For best appearance, cut off the flower stalks in June after they dry out and become less attractive. In spring, in cold climates, you also might remove damaged portions of stems that have succumbed to the winter cold.
Purple wood spurge readily self-sows, so unless you want it to spread, you’ll probably have to pull new seedlings continually. Divide the plant in early spring to prevent overcrowding, if necessary.
