Euphorbia corallioides

Euphorbia corallioides

This form of euphorbia, known as coral spurge, which has the same brilliant lime-green bracts of the harder-to-grow species of the plant, is all too easily grown - to the extent of being regarded as a weed by some gardeners. However, for those who love the colour of lime-green in the garden, this is a very good source of it. It does tend to self-seed, but excess seedlings are easily identifiable and simple to remove. It grows up to about 60 cm tall and flowers in late winter and spring. The colour is stunning with flowers of blue, purple or orange. It is best in a sunny position but will still bloom in semi-shade. It is classified as a perennial, but in my garden it becomes scruffy over summer, and because it self-seeds so readily, I used to pull out the old plants after they have flowered and let a few of the self-seedlings grow on (removing 90% of them!). However, I have discovered that if the plant is cut back hard after flowering, it will have a second blooming period in summer: less showy than its spring display, but welcome none the less. Cut back again in autumn, it may survive and flower again the following spring. Never found in nurseries, it is one of those plants you have to ask a gardener who has it to dig you up a seedling. Once you have it, you'll never be without it, so be warned!

All Euphorbia have an irritant sap in their stems so take care when handling these plants and always wear gloves when pruning. Be very careful not to get any sap in your eyes as this can cause damage to them.