Jessie Keith
Family
Euphorbiaceae
Botanical Name
Euphorbia hypericifolia 'Inneuphdia'(DIAMOND FROST®) PP17567
Plant Common Name
Diamond Frost Euphorbia, Canchalagua, Hypericum-leaved Spurge, Leche-leche
General Description
The light airy spurge Diamond Frost® has quickly gained fame as a reliable heat-tolerant bedding annual. It blooms continuously through the growing season producing fine lacy white flowers above delicate bushy plants. This truly deer resistant annual was bred in Germany by Garry Grueber and first introduced in 2004.
A native to tropical areas in Mexico, Central America and South America, hypericum-leaved spurge is a small roadside and field weed and has recently been cultivated as a garden bedding plant. It is a small, upright, airy spurge that produces small, lacy white flowers when growing conditions are warm. It is a frost tender annual that may survive as a short-lived perennial in winter-free zones. Cultivated varieties have larger flowers than wild-type and denser, bushier habits. They are low-growing and suited to flower garden and container edges.
The fine leaves of this spurge are linear, dark to light green and smooth. White, milky sap is emitted when the leaves or stems are broken. Delicate white flowers are produced and will continue blooming for much of the growing season. Wild forms produce lots of seed and tend to be weedy.
Grow this sweet euphorb in full to partial sun. It thrives in very well-drained soil with average to good fertility. Refrain from overwatering, as this can cause root rot, and allow the soil to dry a bit between watering. The best known cultivated variety is Diamond Frost®, a large-flowered, vigorous form that adds effusive beauty to hanging baskets and garden edges.
This species has become naturalized in tropical and subtropical areas worldwide and is considered a weed in the Old World.
Characteristics
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Plant Type
Annual
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Sun Exposure
Full Sun, Partial Sun
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Height
12"-18" / 30.5cm - 45.7cm
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Width
12"-20" / 30.5cm - 50.8cm
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Bloom Time
Indeterminate
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Native To
Hybrid Origin, Mexico, Latin America and the Caribbean, Central America, South America
Growing Conditions
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Soil pH
Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline
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Soil Drainage
Well Drained
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Soil type
Clay, Loam, Sand
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Tolerances
Pollution
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Growth Rate
Very Fast
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Water Requirements
Drought Tolerant, Average Water
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Habit
Clump-Forming
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Seasonal Interest
Summer, Fall
Ornamental Features
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Flower Interest
Showy
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Flower Color
White
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Foliage Color (Spring)
Green, Light Green, Dark Green
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Foliage Color (Summer)
Green, Light Green, Dark Green
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Foliage Color (Fall)
Green, Light Green, Dark Green
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Fragrant Flowers
No
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Fragrant Fruit
No
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Fragrant Foliage
No
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Bark or Stem Fragrant
No
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Flower Petal Number
Single
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Repeat Bloomer
Yes
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Showy Fruit
No
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Edible Fruit
No
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Showy Foliage
Yes
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Foliage Texture
Fine
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Foliage Sheen
Matte
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Evergreen
No
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Showy Bark
No
