(Spurge)

There are more than 2,000 species which make up the large, diverse genus Euphorbia. Commonly known as spurges, they have a broad distribution. Most species naturally exist across the drier regions of the tropics worldwide, but quite a few also inhabit cooler, temperate regions. Some of the most fantastic and diverse Euphorbia are African, particularly succulent types. The famous botanist Carolus Linnaeus named Euphorbia to honor Euphorbus, a Greek physician to King Juba...

(Spurge)

This remarkable tree-sized, branching succulent is a coveted landscape plant in arid, frost free regions. Originating from Saudi Arabia and Yemen, it is common in southern Africa where it was introduced long ago by traders, but is now listed as a threatened species in its native habitat.

Forming a branched, candelabra-like outline, this thorny succulent superficially resembles a cactus, but is not actually related to them. Its needle-like barbs are borne on vertical ridges that divide its...

(Woodspurge)

Salmon-red stems are lined with green leaves with reddish undersides on the woodspurge, and bears chartreuse flowers in springtime. An upright clumping perennial that is usually evergreen, it is native to eastern Europe, Turkey and the Caucasus Mountains.

Its spoon-shaped green to dark green leaves encircle and line the tall stems that are a contrasting salmon-red. In mid-spring to early summer, the stem tips bear a cluster of green-yellow flowers that are cup-shaped bracts (modified leaves called...

(Orange Grove Woodspurge, Woodspurge)

Red-purple stems are lined with green leaves with reddish undersides on the Orange Grove woodspurge, and bears chartreuse flowers in springtime that age to orange. An upright clumping perennial that is usually evergreen, it is native to eastern Europe, Turkey and the Caucusus Mountains. It grows vigorously from rhizomes (underground stems).

Its spoon-shaped green to dark green leaves encircle and line the tall stems that are a contrasting purple-red. New foliage emerges red before flushing to...

(Purple-leaved Woodspurge, Woodspurge)

This striking perennial is a dark-leaved form of wood spurge, an evergreen species native to Europe and Turkey. Its thick, upright, wine-colored stems are thickly encircled with linear leaves which change color as the seasons progress.

In spring, new growth emerges burgundy, then changes to dark green before maturing to smoky purple in summer. The cool temperatures of fall and winter bring even darker tones to the stems and foliage. Brilliant chartreuse flower clusters are displayed profusely...

(Woodspurge)

Salmon-red stems are lined with green leaves with reddish undersides on the woodspurge, and bears chartreuse flowers in springtime. An upright clumping perennial that is usually evergreen, it is native to eastern Europe, Turkey and the Caucasus Mountains.

Its spoon-shaped green to dark green leaves encircle and line the tall stems that are a contrasting salmon-red. In mid-spring to early summer, the stem tips bear a cluster of green-yellow flowers that are cup-shaped bracts (modified leaves called...

(Candelilla)

This fine textured succulent thrives in the world’s driest places, offering a unique component to desert landscape design. While the majority of Euphorbia species are native to southern Africa, this is a rare example of a New World plant. Its range is limited, from Texas south into Mexico, preferring rises and low foothill locations where soils are poor and drainage is extreme. The plant is composed of slender pale green stems narrower in diameter than a pencil, growing knee high. These...

(Spurge)

This rare species of succulent is among the most beautiful of its clan due to compact growth and mounding habit. It is native to rocky, dry inland mountain ranges of South Africa where it is often found among outcrops. This slow growing plant produces a single trunk that branches into many growing tips, producing a cushion-effect in gardens. The geometrical stems are angular, bearing dark red to black spines that give a higher aesthetic value, particularly for larger uniform specimens.

This...

(Slender Candelabra)

One of the more beautiful large Euphorbia, slender candelabra has an exceptional upright form and produces many stems of bright green. In fact, mature wild specimens can produce as many as 50 branched stems. A native of southern Africa, specifically the Auas Mountains of Namibia and along the Orange River of Botswana, it is frost-tender but very tough and drought tolerant.

The upright, bright yellow-green stems of slender candelabra have distinct vertical ribs lined with pairs of dark...

(Blue Haze Spurge, Spurge)

‘Blue Haze’ combines icy blue foliage with lemon yellow flowers for a real eye-popping display. Developed in England by plant breeder Robin White, this patented hybrid is the result of a cross between the species Euphorbia nicaeennsis and Euphorbia seguieriana subsp. niciciana, which are native to portions of Europe and the Middle East.

The thick, succulent, red-tinted stems of this compact, bushy perennial are encircled with linear, powder blue foliage. The leaves...