Northwest Blooms · Perennials
Euphorbia amygdaloides 'Ruby Glow'
Ruby Glow Spurge
- Family
- Euphorbiaceae
- Height
- 12 to 18 inches
- Width
- 12 to 18 inches
- Flower color
- Lime-green, with maroon-tinged bracts
- Foliage color
- New growth emerges bright red, maturing to deep burgundy; evergreen
- Bloom time
- Mid-spring to early summer
- Light
- Full sun to partial shade (best foliage color in full sun)
- Water
- Low
- Maintenance
- Low; trim spent flower stems after blooming; milky sap can be a skin irritant
- Growing zone
- USDA zones 6 to 8
- Wildlife
- Attracts butterflies; deer and rabbit resistant
About this plant
Euphorbia amygdaloides 'Ruby Glow' is a compact, evergreen perennial known for its deep burgundy foliage that holds its color year-round. Native to woodlands across Europe, this variety adds rich tones to the garden even in the cooler months. The leaves, with their glossy sheen, create a bold backdrop for the plant's vibrant blooms.
In spring, 'Ruby Glow' produces clusters of lime-green flowers, each surrounded by maroon-tinged bracts that echo the dark hues of the foliage. The contrasting colors create a dramatic effect, drawing attention to both the flowers and the leaves. As the season progresses, the bracts gradually fade, but the plant maintains its rich, ruby-toned presence, providing structure and color long after the blooms have gone.
Works well in
Borders · Cottage Gardens · Pollinator Gardens · Waterwise Gardens · Containers
Companion plants
Lungworts · Daylilies · Japanese anemones · Bleeding hearts · Catmint · Heucheras
Design tip
Summer flowers carry the middle of the season, so place it where the bed needs color once spring bulbs fade. Because it is easy about light, use it to carry a planting from a sunny end of the bed into the shadier side.
