Euphorbia
Euphorbias are invaluable plants to have in the garden as they add height, form and lots of colour. They are also drought tolerant, attractive to insects and perfect for those difficult spots in the garden. There is a Euphorbia for most situations and many colour forms that provide interest all year round. Euphorbias make great
container plants.
How to grow
Euphorbias are very easy plants to grow that will establish quickly and reward you with colour almost immediately. By following care instructions and providing plants with the conditions necessary for growth you are sure to succeed. Plants in this selection have been expertly grown and will offer the best start possible to you and your garden. When plants are delivered you should endeavor to plant them in to their final positions as soon as possible. If you cannot plant immediately after delivery you should keep roots moist and store plants in a cool and bright space until the can be moved outdoors.
Position
The Euphorbia family is wide and therefore individual care instructions will differ. Most Euphorbias enjoy a sunny site with some degree of shelter from cold and hard winds.
Soil
Euphorbias can differ greatly in terms of what soil type they thrive on; however, the majority of plants will grow well on a well-drained, fertile and moist soil. It is always best to refer to specific care instructions. To help improve your soil dig it over with a garden fork or spade and incorporate plenty of organic matter; well-rotted garden compost or
multi-purpose compost will be fine. This will help to improve soil structure, drainage and retain some water necessary for growth.
Care
After planting water plants well and maintain a regular
watering regime afterwards to help plants become well established. Fertilise your Euphorbia regularly throughout growing season with a general
fertiliser and an apply a
liquid seaweed fertiliser to improve plant vigor. A spring mulch of compost will help retain moisture, improve soil and suppress weeds. To promote healthy plant growth plants should be pruned as this will ensure plants do not lose form. Pruning instructions will differ between individual Euphorbias and as such you may wish to refer to more specialist information, which can be found in the
book and dvd selection.
Top tip
Euphorbias may be prone to aphid attack. To combat this grow plants such as
Achillea or
Fennel as these plants attract hoverflies and ladybirds whose larvae predate aphids and act as a natural pest control.