Thursday, August 29, 2013

My favorite plant this week: Euphorbia 'Dean's Hybrid'

The return of summer heat in our area has taken a toll on the appearance of a lot of my plants, especially the flowering ones.  My roses look downright sad, with the blooms withering almost as soon as they open.  Even Coreopsis 'Redshift,' which has been blooming heavily for weeks, looks a little wilted.  It may be that I've been too stingy with the water this summer but, if you saw our last water bill, I'm sure you'd understand.  We discovered two leaks the week before last, which may account for the stratospheric charges on this month's bill but, until I can be sure of that, I'm metering out the extra water very carefully.

Strolling through my garden, I wasn't sure there was anything I could call my "favorite" this week - until I walked down the stairs of my slope and saw Euphorbia 'Dean's Hybrid.'  Nothing on the hot, dry slope looks particularly good at the moment - except this plant.  It's thriving even though none of the plants down there are irrigated automatically and they recently went a good 2 weeks without water when I was preoccupied with other tasks.

I put 5 of these plants in on the slope last year.  I lost one but it self-seeded nearby.  I cut back a few of these last week when their blooms turned tawny and they're already producing new foliage.  The foliage of this Euphorbia is soft and fern-like with a blue-ish tint.

New foliage is coming in at the base of this plant which I cut back just a week ago


The one plant I haven't yet cut back has turned into a behemoth, overwhelming the Ribes viburnifolium 'Catalina Perfume Currant' next to it.




The seedling hasn't bloomed yet but it looks healthy.




I planted a few of these Euphorbia in my backyard border as well back in May.  They haven't assumed the size of those on the slope but perhaps they just need more time in the ground - or maybe this plant actually prefers the abuse it received on the back slope.

Euphorbia planted in May next to Coreopsis 'Tahitian Sunset'


'Dean's Hybrid' grows up to 30 inches tall and 2 feet wide.  It's hardy in USDA zones 7a-10b.  It makes do with occasional water and needs full to partial sun.  Removing the stems when the flowering bracts become tawny will keep new foliage coming.  As with any Euphorbia, you need to be careful of the milky sap produced when a stem is cut as it causes skin irritation.

In addition to the ferny foliage, the plant produces bright, acid yellow blooms in spring and again in mid-summer.  The bracts gradually fade to a light yellow, eventually taking on a muted tan/orange shade.

'Dean's Hybrid" sporting its signature chartreuse bracts in May


Euphorbia 'Dean's Hybrid' is my contribution to the "favorite plant of the week" meme sponsored by Loree of danger garden.  You can see Loree's current favorite plant and find links to favorites posted by other gardeners here.



12 comments:

  1. I love the look of euphorbias, but they don't last long in my garden. I finally figured out that they were probably being over-watered. So, I think they love the dry conditions they're in in your garden. I love that blue foliage of yours.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Oh, I love those acid yellow flowers, they're so bright! Great favorite.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The fresh blooms really are as close to florescent as any flower I've seen.

      Delete
  3. I've yet to meet a Euphorbia I don't like and yours is a welcome addition to the roster. Any plant that can take the abuse and still have beautiful feathery blue foliage, well it's a winner. Glad you found a plant to call your favorite?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes. Now the hunt is on for the coming week's favorite. There are a number of plants vying for attention...

      Delete
  4. Yay for the Euphorbia, such a fab group of plants!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Since moving to this site, Euphorbia has become one of my go-to genuses of plants - along with Plectranthus, Cuphea, Leucadendron...

      Delete
  5. Lovely plant! I really wasn't familiar with it. Thanks for introducing it to me.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You're welcome! I hope you can find a place for one and try it out on your own.

      Delete
  6. I have two euphorbias and am adding another one to the garden this fall. I love the foliage on yours. Two of my 'Ascot Rainbow' died but I think it's because they were suffocated by another plant. When we're dry here, I save my unsalted cooking water for the plants. It gives them the moisture they need as well as some nutrients. :o)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I do the same thing with our cooking water! (All ours is unsalted as my husband stringently restricts his sodium intake.)

      Delete