Euphorbia Species, Cushion Spurge
Euphorbia polychroma
| Family: | Euphorbiaceae (yoo-for-bee-AY-see-ee) (Info) |
| Genus: | Euphorbia (yoo-FOR-bee-uh) (Info) |
| Species: | polychroma (pol-ee-KROH-muh) (Info) |
| Synonym: | Euphorbia jacquinii |
| Synonym: | Euphorbia lingulata |
| Synonym: | Euphorbia microsperma |
| Synonym: | Euphorbia polychroma |
| Synonym: | Tithymalus epithymoides |
View this plant in a gardenCategory:
Perennials
Water Requirements:
Average Water Needs; Water regularly; do not overwater
Sun Exposure:
Full Sun
Foliage:
Herbaceous
Foliage Color:
Chartreuse/Yellow
Orange/Apricot
Height:
12-18 in. (30-45 cm)
Spacing:
18-24 in. (45-60 cm)
Hardiness:
USDA Zone 4a: to -34.4 °C (-30 °F)
USDA Zone 4b: to -31.6 °C (-25 °F)
USDA Zone 5a: to -28.8 °C (-20 °F)
USDA Zone 5b: to -26.1 °C (-15 °F)
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:
All parts of plant are poisonous if ingested
Handling plant may cause skin irritation or allergic reaction
Bloom Color:
Bright Yellow
Bloom Characteristics:
Bloom Size:
Bloom Time:
Late Spring/Early Summer
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:
Non-patented
Propagation Methods:
From seed; sow indoors before last frost
From seed; direct sow after last frost
Seed Collecting:
Bag seedheads to capture ripening seed
Properly cleaned, seed can be successfully stored
Regional
This plant has been said to grow in the following regions:
Juneau, Alaska
Seward, Alaska
Logan Lake, British Columbia
Sonora, California
Stamford, Connecticut
Blackfoot, Idaho
Fort Dodge, Iowa
Iowa City, Iowa
Ewing, Kentucky
Bel Air, Maryland
Silver Spring, Maryland
Chicopee, Massachusetts
Dracut, Massachusetts
North Easton, Massachusetts
Springfield, Massachusetts
Constantine, Michigan
Ludington, Michigan
Stephenson, Michigan
Tustin, Michigan
Chaska, Minnesota
Saint Paul, Minnesota
Fort Benton, Montana
Whitefield, New Hampshire
Himrod, New York
Jefferson, New York
Akron, Ohio
Findlay, Ohio
Galena, Ohio
Grove City, Ohio
Bend, Oregon
MOUNT HOOD PARKDALE, Oregon
Norristown, Pennsylvania
Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania
Orangeburg, South Carolina
Clarksville, Tennessee
Johnson City, Tennessee
Knoxville, Tennessee
Provo, Utah
Salt Lake City, Utah
West Dummerston, Vermont
Clarkston, Washington
Clarkston Heights-Vineland, Washington
Elma, Washington
Spokane, Washington
Stanwood, Washington
Sunnyslope, Washington
West Clarkston-Highland, Washington
West Wenatchee, Washington
Green Bay, Wisconsin
Madison, Wisconsin
New Richmond, Wisconsin
show allGardeners' Notes:
| Rating | Content |
|---|---|
| Positive | On May 17, 2014, iowhen from Iowa City, IA (Zone 5a) wrote: I planted two last fall - one next to the house, and one further out in the yard. As they came up in the spring, rabbits repeatedly munched the further one. That has not stopped it from flourishing, and it's going to bloom soon, now that the other is almost finished with blooms. |
| Positive | On Jan 1, 2013, tateofkumquat from White Oak, MD wrote: The electric yellow of this beautiful plant works in a weird, wonderful way with the electric blue of flax flowers, especially in the evening or cloudy days. Alas, mine was not as long-lived as I had hoped, but it was wonderful enough that I'm trying it again in a different place. |
| Positive | On May 7, 2012, floraphiliac from Ludington, MI (Zone 6a) wrote: My favorite euphorbia, it is so low maintenance and looks good for the whole growing season. Brilliant yellow "flowers" in spring, neat symmetrical mound shape of dark green foliage all summer and lovely reddish to orange tints in the autumn. I've had it for over 5 years in the same spot. I want dozens more of them lol! I may try to root some stem cuttings after the flowering stage this year. |
| Positive | On Mar 2, 2010, willmetge from Spokane, WA (Zone 5b) wrote: This is one of my all-time favorite perennials. It blooms with the daffodils, and looks as though it was carefully pruned into a perfect mound. The chartreuse and yellow bracts are so much more interesting than any of the other spring flowers. I have never had re-seeding problems. I have extreme skin allergies, so I'm careful not to get the sap on me. That being said, I have divided it, taken cuttings, and never had any problems. I think negative ratings given to toxic plants stems from negligence of the gardener in knowing what they are planting. If you are going to purchase a plant, always do your research. It only takes seconds to look it up on-line. I'm guessing that habaneros and other hot peppers can cause just as much eye damage, but most gardeners understand the intense irritation... read more |
| Negative | On Sep 30, 2009, mslehv from Columbus, OH (Zone 5b) wrote: I’m a physician who recently had a fairly severe eye injury from the toxic residues of Euphorbia polychroma. I actually discovered the cause of my eye problem about ten days after the injury and only quite by accident while researching a problem with the plant itself. However, after combing the plant and medical literature it was pretty clear that most of the Euphorbias (particularly the milky latex of the succulents) have some ocular toxicity ranging from mere irritation to blindness. |
| Positive | On Jun 18, 2008, glacierdawg from Juneau, AK wrote: I've grown this plant in many climactic conditions, from hot, dry alkalai soil in southwest Idaho to cool, moist acid soil in Southeast Alaska. It has preforemed well in all locations. The vivid yellow is especiall effective in the overcast conditions of coastal Alaska. It glows on gray, gloomy days. As to becoming invasive, that hasn't been a problem with this species. |
| Positive | On Apr 7, 2007, flowerfloosey from Sonora, CA wrote: I love this plant. I love how it is such a perfect mounding plant and the yellow is electric when it blooms. I have it at the front edge of my perinnial garden in my California foothill locale zone 7. It is deer resistant and after bloom, the folage is attractive. It looks great paired with blue forget- me- nots or late red tulips. Everyone that sees it wonders what it is and wants one. I have recently divided it by root cuttings in late winter and it is blooming along with the bigger plant. Wish I had enough to edge my whole garden with it! Mine is callled candy and I got it at the San Francisco Garden show a few years ago from Digging Dog or Cottage garden nursery. |
| Neutral | On Mar 21, 2007, berrygirl from Braselton, GA (Zone 8a) wrote: EUPHORBIA POLYCHROMA Cushion Spurge - Short 14" - Plant 12" apart. Zone 3-8 Forms a globe shaped mound with attractive foliage. Related to the poinsettia, its outer bracts turn a colorful chrome yellow in early summer, then red in fall. |
| Positive | On May 3, 2006, Sarahskeeper from Brockton, MA (Zone 6a) wrote: A lovely non-invasive, long lived perennial. |
| Positive | On Mar 25, 2006, SW_gardener from (Zone 6a) wrote: Easy to grow. I grow mine in clay soil in part shade, and, it increases in size fairly quick forming a nice mound. Yellow flowers with bracts in the spring...and together they look like their glowing. I hoping to divide mine this year, I will have had it 2 years this summer. EXCELLENT plant. Is not invasive and would highly recommend. |
