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Key characteristics

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

Perennials

Euphorbia characias subsp. wulfenii

Mediterranean Spurge

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.

Light

Full sun to partial shade

Water

Drought tolerant once established

Bloom time

Late winter

Find this plant

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.

Printable plant sheet (PDF)