PLANT ARCHIVE | Euphorbia characias ssp. wulfenii
Euphorbia wulfenii is a hardy perennial set apart by its striking lime-green flowers that provide a refreshing vibrance to a winter garden. These unusual blooms sit atop tall vertical stems of blue-grey foliage.
Also known as Mediterranean spurge, Euphorbia wulfenii is native to dry areas in southern Europe, such as the scrublands of Greece and Turkey.
Growing conditions
Heat and drought-tolerant, wulfenii thrives when planted in full sun with free-draining soil. This species endures coastal conditions and moderate frost but does not cope well with humidity. At maturity, Euphorbia wulfenii will reach 90-120cm tall by 70-100cm wide.
Care and maintenance
An easy-care species, wulfenii is resistant to many pests and diseases and only requires occasional watering during dry summers. Spent flower stems should be pruned at the base to encourage new growth, and care taken when pruning as the sap can irritate skin and eyes.
This hardy perennial is particularly suited to informal coastal, Mediterranean, or rock-style gardens, where it thrives in sunny, well-drained locations. Its architectural form and bold foliage create a stunning contrast against other plants typically found in these garden designs, for example, our Blairgowrie and Brighton gardens (images 2/3 and 3/3).
Connect with our Melbourne garden design team to learn more about how you can incorporate this plant into your next project.