Euphorbia, Cushion Spurge 'Blackbird'
Euphorbia
| Family: | Euphorbiaceae (yoo-for-bee-AY-see-ee) (Info) |
| Genus: | Euphorbia (yoo-FOR-bee-uh) (Info) |
| Cultivar: | Blackbird |
| Additional cultivar information: | (PP17178, aka Nothowlee) |
| Hybridized | by Howard-Leeding |
| Registered or introduced: | 2006 |
Category:
Perennials
Water Requirements:
Drought-tolerant; suitable for xeriscaping
Average Water Needs; Water regularly; do not overwater
Sun Exposure:
Full Sun
Foliage:
Grown for foliage
This plant is resistant to deer
Foliage Color:
Burgundy/Maroon
Dark/Black
Height:
12-18 in. (30-45 cm)
18-24 in. (45-60 cm)
Spacing:
18-24 in. (45-60 cm)
Hardiness:
USDA Zone 6a: to -23.3 °C (-10 °F)
USDA Zone 6b: to -20.5 °C (-5 °F)
USDA Zone 7a: to -17.7 °C (0 °F)
USDA Zone 7b: to -14.9 °C (5 °F)
USDA Zone 8a: to -12.2 °C (10 °F)
USDA Zone 8b: to -9.4 °C (15 °F)
USDA Zone 9a: to -6.6 °C (20 °F)
USDA Zone 9b: to -3.8 °C (25 °F)
Where to Grow:
Danger:
Handling plant may cause skin irritation or allergic reaction
Bloom Color:
Green
Bloom Characteristics:
Bloom Size:
Bloom Time:
Mid Spring
Other details:
Soil pH requirements:
6.1 to 6.5 (mildly acidic)
6.6 to 7.5 (neutral)
7.6 to 7.8 (mildly alkaline)
Patent Information:
Patented
Propagation Methods:
Seed Collecting:
N/A: plant does not set seed, flowers are sterile, or plants will not come true from seed
Regional
This plant is said to grow outdoors in the following regions:
Brea, California
Carlsbad, California
Glendale, California
La Canada Flintridge, California
Oakhurst, California
San Jose, California(3 reports)
San Leandro, California
Santa Barbara, California
Santa Rosa, California
Tallahassee, Florida
Wichita, Kansas
Catonsville, Maryland
Cockeysville, Maryland
Madison, Mississippi
Sarcoxie, Missouri
Riverhead, New York
Elizabeth City, North Carolina
Raleigh, North Carolina
Tulsa, Oklahoma
Portland, Oregon
Carlisle, Pennsylvania
Norristown, Pennsylvania
Wynnewood, Pennsylvania
Lexington, South Carolina
Sumter, South Carolina
Clarksville, Tennessee
Hendersonville, Tennessee
Atlanta, Texas
Austin, Texas
Dallas, Texas
Lexington, Virginia
Graham, Washington
Olympia, Washington
Vancouver, Washington
show allGardeners' Notes:
| Rating | Content |
|---|---|
| Negative | On Jul 25, 2020, nbrodie from San Jose, CA wrote: Everytime I see one of these they are either half or completely dead. I kept one for a couple years in a container but it just got hit by mealybugs. That seems to be the most common culprit. And they hit hard. I would not recommend. |
| Positive | On May 5, 2019, 00264167 from herne bay, Blackbird is the best black foliage euphorbia, better than purpurea as the flowers are black too. The downside is its not that vigourous with about a third of the growth speed of wulfenii or martinii and its difficult to get to root from cuttings which is probably why you never see it for sale very often. |
| Negative | On May 24, 2015, coriaceous from ROSLINDALE, MA wrote: This is less hardy than E. amygdaloides 'Rubra'. Unlike the latter, it is not reliably hardy here. Here it is mainly useful for seasonal containers, not as a border plant. |
| Positive | On Jun 11, 2013, Cville_Gardener from Clarksville, TN (Zone 6b) wrote: Blackbird Cushion Spurge is tolerant of most soils including clay, both dry and moist, as long as they drain fairly quickly. It doesn't like being in waterlogged soils for prolonged periods. It can tolerate drought but looks better with an occasional deep watering. It usually doesn't need any supplemental watering in my location. |
| Positive | On Apr 29, 2013, palebo7 from Dallas, TX wrote: I love Euphorbias for their unique foliage and flowering characteristics. |
| Neutral | On Dec 31, 2010, Kaelkitty from Robertstown, Discovered by Mark Howard and Simon Leeding at Notcutts Nursery in Suffolk England. Introduced to the horticultural trade by Plant Haven Inc. It is a sport of E. 'Red Wing' and therefore shares the same parentage. The full name of the plant is thus Euphorbia ×martinii 'Blackbird'. Euphorbia ×martinii is Euphorbia amygdaloides X Euphorbia characias. |
| Positive | On May 8, 2010, HostaHost from Tallahassee, FL (Zone 8b) wrote: This plant is definitely one worth having! It is so unusual; passersby who visit almost always do a second-take. The leaves are almost iridescent - they seem to shimmer with the rainbow of subtle colors. The chartreuse colored flowers absolutely makes for a stunning combination. |
| Positive | On Nov 15, 2007, rcn48 from Lexington, VA (Zone 6a) wrote: Euphorbia 'Blackbird' is outstanding! It's the first year in our gardens and even though it hasn't bloomed yet the dark foliage is wonderful combined with gold foliage plants to create a real stand out in the garden. An evergreen perennial that appreciates a pruning after flowering in the spring. Caution: as with all Euphorbias, avoid skin contact with the milky sap. |
