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Euphorbia ‘Blackbird’ (Spurge)

Spurge 'Blackbird', Spurge 'Nothowlee', Cushion Spurge 'Blackbird', Euphorbia x martinii 'Nothowlee', Euphorbia x martinii Blackbird, Blackbird Martin's Spurge

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Euphorbia 'Blackbird', Spurge 'Blackbird', Spurge 'Nothowlee', Cushion Spurge 'Blackbird', Euphorbia x martinii 'Nothowlee', Euphorbia x martinii Blackbird, Blackbird Martin's Spurge, Drought tolerant perennial, Deer resistant perennial, rabbit resistant perennial,
Euphorbia 'Blackbird', Spurge 'Blackbird', Spurge 'Nothowlee', Cushion Spurge 'Blackbird', Euphorbia x martinii 'Nothowlee', Euphorbia x martinii Blackbird, Blackbird Martin's Spurge, Drought tolerant perennial, Deer resistant perennial, rabbit resistant perennial,

Noted for its exceptionally dark foliage which contrast brilliantly with the lime-green flowers, Euphorbia ‘Blackbird’ or ‘Nothowlee’ (Spurge) is a bushy, dwarf evergreen sub-shrub of great ornamental interest. A sport of the popular variety ‘Redwing’, it forms a mound of attractive rosettes of lance-shaped leaves, bright red when young and maturing to purple black when grown in full sun. They are topped from early to late spring by clusters of showy, yellow-green flowers. A beautiful plant to consider for your winter containers or the front of your mixed borders.

  • 2004 Gold Medal winner at Holland’s prestigious Plantarium Expo.
  • Typically grows with a clumping, compact, upright habit up to 18 in. tall and wide (45 cm).
  • Remaining attractive during all its growing season, this remarkable plant is resilient to most pests and diseases, is drought, deer and rabbit tolerant and is easy to care for.
  • A full sun to part shade lover, this plant thrives in a wide range of conditions as long as the soil is well-drained.
  • Perfect addition to beds and borders, banks and slopes, containers, for coastal gardens, cottage gardens or city gardens.
  • Propagate by division in early spring or take basal cuttings in spring or early summer; dip cut surfaces in charcoal or lukewarm water to prevent bleeding
  • All parts of the plant are highly toxic if ingested.

Requirements

Hardiness 6 - 9
Heat Zones 7 - 12
Climate Zones 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
Plant Type Perennials, Shrubs
Plant Family Euphorbiaceae
Genus Euphorbia
Common names Cushion Spurge, Spurge
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Early, Mid, Late)
Summer (Early, Mid, Late)
Fall
Winter
Height 1' - 2'
(30cm - 60cm)
Spread 1' - 2'
(30cm - 60cm)
Spacing 18" (50cm)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Low, Average
Soil Type Chalk, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Well-Drained
Characteristics Plant of Merit, Showy, Evergreen
Tolerance Drought, Deer, Rabbit
Garden Uses Banks And Slopes, Beds And Borders, Patio And Containers
Garden Styles City and Courtyard, Coastal Garden, Informal and Cottage
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Alternative Plants to Consider

Euphorbia obesa (Baseball Plant)
Euphorbia resinifera (Resin Spurge)
Euphorbia mammillaris (Corncob Cactus)
Euphorbia xanti (Baja Spurge)
Euphorbia ceratocarpa (Sicily Spurge)
Euphorbia corollata (Flowering Spurge)

Recommended Companion Plants

Cornus alba ‘Sibirica’ (Tatarian Dogwood)
Helleborus Anna’s Red (Hellebore)
Carex oshimensis ‘Evergold’ (Japanese Sedge)
Stachys byzantina (Lamb’s Ears)

Find In One of Our Guides or Gardens

A Treasured Winter Border Idea with Hellebores, Sedge and Dogwood
Native Plant Alternatives to Euphorbia cyparissias (Cypress Spurge)
While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.
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Requirements

Hardiness 6 - 9
Heat Zones 7 - 12
Climate Zones 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
Plant Type Perennials, Shrubs
Plant Family Euphorbiaceae
Genus Euphorbia
Common names Cushion Spurge, Spurge
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Early, Mid, Late)
Summer (Early, Mid, Late)
Fall
Winter
Height 1' - 2'
(30cm - 60cm)
Spread 1' - 2'
(30cm - 60cm)
Spacing 18" (50cm)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Low, Average
Soil Type Chalk, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Well-Drained
Characteristics Plant of Merit, Showy, Evergreen
Tolerance Drought, Deer, Rabbit
Garden Uses Banks And Slopes, Beds And Borders, Patio And Containers
Garden Styles City and Courtyard, Coastal Garden, Informal and Cottage
How Many Plants
Do I Need?
Explore Great Plant Combination Ideas
Euphorbia (Spurge)
Guides with
Euphorbia (Spurge)
Not sure which Euphorbia (Spurge) to pick?
Compare Now

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