Euphorbia characias Silver Swan ('Wilcott') (PBR)
spurge
- Position: full sun
- Soil: light, well-drained garden soil
- Rate of growth: fast growing
- Flowering period: March to May
- Hardiness: fully hardy
This shrubby euphorbia boasts deep blue-green leaves that are edged with cream. In spring the foliage is topped with predominately white flowers that have a lime green stripe, giving the plant a silvery look in sunshine. It is a variant of Euphorbia characias, which originates from the Mediterranean, where it is found on dry rocky slopes and scrubland, so it is very tolerant of drought once it becomes established. It forms a natural mounded shape and looks great among other silvery-leaved plants. It can tolerate a little shade, but the stems may become floppy. - Garden care: Each stem is biennial, so will produce leaves in its first year and flower in its second. Once the stem has produced a flower it should be cut right back to its base, or to a point where there is new growth emerging, in midsummer. This will make way for lots of new, fresh shoots. When working with spurges always wear gloves since the milky sap is poisonous and a potential skin irritant. Remove seedlings as they appear.
- Humans/Pets: IRRITANT to skin/eye; harmful if eaten