Northwest Blooms · Perennials
Euphorbia characias subsp. wulfenii
Mediterranean Spurge

- Family
- Euphorbiaceae
- Height
- 3 to 4 feet
- Width
- 2 to 3 feet
- Flower color
- Lime-green to yellow-green
- Foliage color
- Blue-green
- Bloom time
- Late winter
- Light
- Full sun to partial shade
- Water
- Drought tolerant once established
- Maintenance
- Low; use caution when handling, as the milky sap can irritate the skin and eyes
- Growing zone
- 7 to 10
- Wildlife
- The flowers attract bees and other pollinators
About this plant
Euphorbia characias subsp. wulfenii, commonly known as Mediterranean spurge, is a striking perennial native to the Mediterranean region. This plant features narrow, blue-green leaves that grow in whorls along the stems and are slightly twisted, adding texture and interest. The foliage is evergreen in most climates, providing year-round beauty. In late winter, it produces large, rounded clusters of lime-green to yellow-green bracts that surround the small, inconspicuous true flowers, persisting for several weeks and attracting pollinators. Mediterranean Spurge is low-maintenance, thriving in full sun to partial shade and is drought tolerant once established. It adds beauty and charm to various garden styles, whether used as a focal point, massed for impact, or as a container specimen.
Works well in
Borders · Cottage Gardens · Pollinator Gardens · Waterwise Gardens · Cut Flower Gardens
Companion plants
Japanese anemones · Bleeding hearts · Catmint · Heucheras · Lady's mantle · Hellebores
Design tip
Winter interest is the reason to grow it, so keep it near an entry where the bloom is noticed. Because it is easy about light, use it to carry a planting from a sunny end of the bed into the shadier side.
