Euphorbia characias Glacier Blue (Spurge)
A stunning plant for year-round interest, Euphorbia characias ‘Glacier Blue’ is an evergreen subshrub with beautifully variegated foliage and long-lasting flowers. Upright, it features erect stems with spirally arranged, narrow, gray-blue leaves adorned with creamy-white margins. In spring, they are topped with broad conical heads of chartreuse flowers, which consist primarily of creamy bracts with a green eye. The overall effect is very eye-catching.
A stunning plant for year-round interest, Euphorbia characias 'Glacier Blue' is an evergreen subshrub with beautifully variegated foliage and long-lasting flowers. Upright, it features erect stems with spirally arranged, narrow, gray-blue leaves adorned with creamy-white margins. In spring, they are topped with broad conical heads of chartreuse flowers, which consist primarily of creamy bracts with a green eye. The overall effect is very eye-catching.
- Typically growing up in a bushy mound to 16-24 in. tall (40-60 cm) and 24-30 in. wide (60-75 cm), this evergreen spurge makes a perfect focal point for beds and borders and is a lovely addition to Mediterranean gardens or containers.
- Remaining attractive during all its growing season, this remarkable plant is resilient to most pests and diseases, is deer and rabbit resistant and is easy to care for.
- A full sun lover, it thrives in dry to medium, well-drained soils. Don't put this plant in too much shade, or it will get floppy and fall over. Drought tolerant, although appreciates some moisture in dry summers. Doesn't like hot and humid summers.
- Attracts butterflies and hummingbirds
- Valued in Mediterranean or desert landscaping for not being highly demanding and for looking good despite a lack of watering in sunny areas. In colder areas, this may be grown in a container and brought indoors to a cool, bright spot for the winter.
- Cut flower stems at the base after flowering. Provides a constant supply of seedlings that are easy to pull out.
- Wear gloves when cutting as both stems and leaves contain a poisonous milky sap.
Requirements
Hardiness | 7 – 10 |
---|---|
Heat Zones | 7 – 10 |
Climate Zones | 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24 |
Plant Type | Perennials, Shrubs |
Plant Family | Euphorbia – Spurges |
Exposure | Full Sun |
Season of Interest | Spring (Early,Mid,Late)Summer (Early,Mid,Late)FallWinter |
Height | 1' – 2' (30cm – 60cm) |
Spread | 2' – 3' (60cm – 90cm) |
Spacing | 30″ (75cm) |
Water Needs | Low |
Maintenance | Low |
Soil Type | Clay, Loam, Sand |
Soil pH | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral |
Soil Drainage | Well-Drained |
Characteristics | Showy, Evergreen |
Tolerance | Deer, Drought, Rabbit, Dry Soil |
Attracts | Butterflies, Hummingbirds |
Garden Uses | Beds and Borders, Patio and Containers |
Garden Styles | City and Courtyard, Coastal Garden, Gravel and Rock Garden, Informal and Cottage, Mediterranean Garden |