Spurge

There are hundreds of different spurges out there -- and most are valued by gardeners because they're drought resistant and almost always ignored by deer and rabbits. They're surefire picks for adding color to the garden. Many spurges also turn gorgeous colors in the fall, enlivening the fall garden.

Light:

Sun, Part Sun

Zones:

3-10

Plant Type:

Annual, Perennial

Plant Height:

12-36 inches tall

Plant Width:

12-36 inches wide

Landscape Uses:

Containers, Beds & Borders, Slopes, Groundcover

Special Features:

Flowers, Attractive Foliage, Fall Color, Deer Resistant, Easy to Grow

Top Varieties

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Blue Haze spurge

(Euphorbia 'Blue Haze') produces eye-catching chartreuse flowers in late spring to early summer on blue-green foliage that grows 18 inches tall. Zones 7-9
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Bonfire spurge

(Euphorbia 'Bonfire') shows off rich maroon foliage from spring to fall. In spring it also bears clusters of chartreuse flowers. It grows 1 foot tall and wide. Zones 5-9
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Cushion spurge

(Euphorbia polychroma) develops shades of chartreuse, yellow, burgundy, red, and orange through the seasons. In fall the foliage turns brilliant red, maroon, and orange. It grows 12 to 20 inches tall. Zones 3-10
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Cypress spurge

(Euphorbia cyparissias) stems grows upright, resembling a tiny spruce or cypress tree, but the plant spreads to form a bushy groundcover. It produces chartreuse bracts, which age to red. Zones 4-8
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Excalibur spurge

(Euphorbia 'Froeup') is sometimes called 'Excalibur'. Growing 2 to 3 feet tall, its foliage emerges with a red tint, matures to deep green, and takes on yellow tones in fall. Zones 5-8
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Griffith's spurge

(Euphorbia griffithii) has green foliage with a purplish red tinge; it turns orange-red in fall. It produces small yellow flowers surrounded by showy orange-red bracts on plants up to 3 feet tall. Zones 4-9
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Helena's Blush spurge

(Euphorbia amygdaloides 'Helena's Blush') bears green foliage edged in white and pink and chartreuse-variegated bracts. It grows 20 inches tall and is often grown as an annual. Zones 6-9
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Hybrid spurge

(Euphorbia x martinii) is a shrubby plant 3 feet tall with reddish purple leaves. It bears chartreuse bracts (petals) with small red flowers. Zones 7-10
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Lacey cushion spurge

(Euphorbia polychroma 'Lacey') is a selection with creamy white edges on its leaves. Zones 3-10
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