Euphorbia characias ssp. wulfenii, Mediterranean spurge
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Perennials

Euphorbia characias ssp. wulfenii

Mediterranean spurge

EuphorbiaceaeEurope, Asia

At a Glance

TypePerennial
HabitUpright
FoliageEvergreen
Height3–5 feet (90–150 cm)
Width3–5 feet (90–150 cm)
Maturity3 years

Growing Zones

USDA Hardiness Zones

7 - 10
Zone 7
Zone 8
Zone 9
Zone 10
These zones indicate the coldest temperatures this plant can typically survive.
Frost Tolerancehardy

Key Features

Attracts Pollinators
Deer Resistant
Drought Tolerant
Maintenancelow

Overview

Euphorbia characias subsp. wulfenii, commonly called Mediterranean spurge or wulfenii spurge, is a bold, architectural evergreen sub-shrub in the family Euphorbiaceae, native to rocky slopes, garrigue, and open woodland from southern France east through the Balkans to Turkey. Plants grow 3–5 feet (90–150 cm) tall and wide, with multiple upright, unbranched biennial stems densely clothed in narrow, blue-green to gray-green leaves arranged in spirals. In late winter to spring, the stems terminate in large, domed to cylindrical flowerheads — technically cyathia — composed of cup-shaped yellow-green bracts with yellow nectar glands (lacking the dark purple glands characteristic of the typical subspecies). The flowerhead clusters can be 12–18 inches (30–45 cm) long, providing a remarkable architectural display from February through June in Pacific Northwest gardens. All parts produce a toxic, caustic white latex sap upon cutting; wear gloves and eye protection when pruning. The species is fully deer-resistant and exceptionally drought-tolerant once established.

Native Range

Native to the western Mediterranean east through the Balkans, Greece, and Turkey, growing on rocky hillsides, coastal scrub, garrigue, and open coniferous forest margins in well-drained, calcareous to neutral soils. Subsp. wulfenii is native primarily to the eastern part of this range (former Yugoslavia, Greece, Turkey) and is distinguished by its larger leaves, more yellow flowers, and yellow rather than dark nectar glands.

Suggested Uses

Mediterranean spurge is one of the finest architectural evergreen plants for sunny, dry Pacific Northwest borders and gravel gardens. The large chartreuse-yellow winter-to-spring flowerheads bridge the seasonal gap between winter interest and early-summer perennials. Pairs exceptionally well with ornamental grasses, lavender, rosemary, and other Mediterranean plants in dry borders. The bold blue-green foliage provides year-round structure. Effective in mass plantings on dry banks, slopes, and coastal gardens where drought and wind resistance are valued.

How to Identify

Mediterranean spurge is identified by its upright, unbranched biennial stems densely clothed in narrow, blue-gray to gray-green leaves in tight spirals, growing 3–5 feet (90–150 cm) tall in well-established clumps. Flowerheads in late winter to spring are large (12–18 inches / 30–45 cm), domed to cylindrical, with chartreuse-yellow cup-like cyathia bearing yellow nectar glands — not dark or purple as in the typical species. When a stem or leaf is broken, white latex sap is immediately visible. The architectural biennial stem structure — each stem lives two years, blooming in its second year then dying — is characteristic.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height3' - 5'
Width/Spread3' - 5'

Reaches mature size in approximately 3 years

Colors

Flower Colors

yellow
chartreuse

Foliage Colors

blue green
gray green

Fall Foliage Colors

no change

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~14 weeks
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WinterSpring
Mediterranean spurge blooms from late winter through late spring, typically February through June in Pacific Northwest gardens, with peak display in March through May. The large chartreuse-yellow flowerheads are exceptionally long-lasting, remaining attractive for ten to fourteen weeks. After flowering, the spent flowering stems must be removed at the base to maintain plant vigor and appearance. New vegetative stems that grew in the current year will flower the following spring.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

Chartreuse-yellow with yellow nectar glands

Foliage Description

Narrow, blue-green to gray-green, spirally arranged

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

Full Sun
Partial Shade
Requires 4-10 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range6.0 - 8.0(Neutral)
357912
Soil Types
loamsandchalkrocky
Drainage
well drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Very Low

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

2–3 years

Drought Tolerance

Drought tolerant when established

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Plant Mediterranean spurge in well-drained to dry, average to poor soil in full sun to light shade. The species thrives in Pacific Northwest gardens in freely draining soils, including sandy, rocky, or chalky sites. Avoid rich, moist, or waterlogged soils which cause stem rot and reduced longevity. Once established, the plant is exceptionally drought-tolerant and requires no supplemental irrigation. Cut back spent flowering stems to the base immediately after flowering in late spring or early summer to expose new vegetative growth and maintain the plant's structure. Always wear gloves, long sleeves, and eye protection when handling — the white latex sap is caustic and causes severe skin and eye irritation. Plants self-seed moderately; seedlings are easily removed when small.

Pruning

The key maintenance task is removing spent flowering stems promptly after bloom. Cut each finished stem at the base with clean secateurs in late spring or early summer; the removed stems are biennial (having bloomed in their second year) and will not regrow. Do not cut back non-flowering vegetative stems as these are building resources for next year's bloom. Wear gloves and eye protection throughout — the sap is caustic. Lightly thin overcrowded shoots in early spring if clumps become congested. Self-sown seedlings can be transplanted when small but resent root disturbance when larger.

Pruning Schedule

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late spring

Maintenance Level

low

⚠️ Toxicity Warning

Toxic to pets and humans