Euphorbia seguieriana
Seguier's spurge
Europe, Mediterranean, and western and central Asia
Overview
Euphorbia seguieriana is a clump-forming herbaceous perennial in the spurge family, sending up many slender, branching stems to 12-20 inches (30-50 cm) tall and forming a loose, rounded mass 18-24 inches (45-60 cm) wide. The stems are densely set with narrow, needle-like blue-green leaves about 1 inch (2.5 cm) long, giving a finely textured, almost feathery appearance. From early to midsummer the stem tips carry domed heads of small yellow-green bracts and flowers that hold their color for many weeks. The subspecies E. seguieriana subsp. niciciana is the form usually grown in gardens and has a long flowering display. The plant grows from a deep taproot that makes it drought-tolerant but difficult to move once established. All parts contain a milky white latex that irritates skin and eyes and is toxic if eaten. One limitation is that it self-sows freely in open gravel and can seed into surrounding beds, and the taproot makes mature plants hard to relocate.
Native Range
Euphorbia seguieriana is native to central and southern Europe, the Mediterranean, and western and central Asia. It grows on dry steppe, sandy and stony grassland, and open, sun-baked slopes.Suggested Uses
Used in gravel gardens, dry borders, and naturalistic steppe and prairie-style plantings. The feathery blue-green foliage and yellow-green flower heads combine with grasses, sea hollies, and other drought-tolerant perennials. It is grown for its airy texture in lean, sunny sites.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height1' - 1'8"
Width/Spread1'6" - 2'
Reaches mature size in approximately 2 years
Colors
Bloom Information
Flowering runs from early to midsummer, with the yellow-green bract heads holding their color for many weeks, often into late summer. The small true flowers sit within the bracts. A light trim after the first flush can prompt fresh growth and later color.
Detailed Descriptions
Foliage Description
Blue-greenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 6-10 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
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Grow Euphorbia seguieriana in full sun in lean, sharply drained, sandy or gravelly soil. The deep taproot makes it drought-tolerant, and it declines in rich, wet, or heavy ground. Water only during establishment, after which little care is needed. A neutral to alkaline pH of 6.5 to 8.0 suits it, and feeding is not required. The milky sap irritates skin and eyes when stems are cut. Cutting back faded stems limits self-seeding and keeps the clump dense.Pruning
Cut back the faded flowering stems after the first flush to limit self-seeding and tidy the clump. Remove dead stems in early spring before new growth appears. The sap from cut stems irritates skin and eyes.Pruning Schedule
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
summerfall
Container Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 3 gallons