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Euphorbia characias ‘Glacier Blue’ (Spurge)

Spurge 'Glacier Blue', 'Glacier Blue' Spurge

Euphorbia characias 'Glacier Blue', Spurge 'Glacier Blue', 'Glacier Blue' Spurge, Variegated Spurge, Variegated Euphorbia
Euphorbia characias 'Glacier Blue', Spurge 'Glacier Blue', 'Glacier Blue' Spurge, Variegated Spurge, Variegated Euphorbia
Euphorbia characias 'Glacier Blue', Spurge 'Glacier Blue', 'Glacier Blue' Spurge, Variegated Spurge, Variegated Euphorbia

A stunning plant for year-round interest, Euphorbia characias ‘Glacier Blue’ is an evergreen subshrub with beautifully variegated foliage and long-lasting flowers. Upright, it features erect stems with spirally arranged, narrow, gray-blue leaves adorned with creamy-white margins. In spring, they are topped with broad conical heads of chartreuse flowers, which consist primarily of creamy bracts with a green eye. The overall effect is very eye-catching.

  • Typically growing up in a bushy mound to 16-24 in. tall (40-60 cm) and 24-30 in. wide (60-75 cm), this evergreen spurge makes a perfect focal point for beds and borders and is a lovely addition to Mediterranean gardens or containers.
  • Remaining attractive during all its growing season, this remarkable plant is resilient to most pests and diseases, is deer and rabbit resistant and is easy to care for.
  • A full sun lover, it thrives in dry to medium, well-drained soils. Don’t put this plant in too much shade, or it will get floppy and fall over. Drought tolerant, although appreciates some moisture in dry summers. Doesn’t like hot and humid summers.
  • Attracts butterflies and hummingbirds
  • Valued in Mediterranean or desert landscaping for not being highly demanding and for looking good despite a lack of watering in sunny areas. In colder areas, this may be grown in a container and brought indoors to a cool, bright spot for the winter.
  • Cut flower stems at the base after flowering. Provides a constant supply of seedlings that are easy to pull out.
  • Wear gloves when cutting as both stems and leaves contain a poisonous milky sap.

Requirements

Hardiness 7 - 10
Heat Zones 7 - 10
Climate Zones 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 Spurge
Exposure Full Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Early, Mid, Late), Summer (Early, Mid, Late), Fall, Winter
Height 1' - 2' (30cm - 60cm)
Spread 2' - 3' (60cm - 90cm)
Spacing 30" (80cm)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Low
Soil Type Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Well-Drained
Characteristics Showy, Evergreen
Tolerance Drought, Deer, Rabbit, Dry Soil
Attracts Butterflies, Hummingbirds
Garden Uses Beds And Borders, Patio And Containers
Garden Styles Mediterranean Garden, Informal and Cottage, Gravel and Rock Garden, City and Courtyard, Coastal Garden
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Alternative Plants to Consider

Euphorbia trigona (African Milk Tree)
Euphorbia horrida (African Milk Barrel)
Euphorbia caput-medusae (Medusa’s Head)
Euphorbia obesa (Baseball Plant)
Euphorbia resinifera (Resin Spurge)
Euphorbia mammillaris (Corncob Cactus)

Recommended Companion Plants

Aloe polyphylla (Spiral Aloe)
Sedum nussbaumerianum (Stonecrop)
Hakonechloa macra ‘Aureola’ (Hakone Grass)
Geranium himalayense (Lilac Cranesbill)

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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 7 - 10
Heat Zones 7 - 10
Climate Zones 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 Spurge
Exposure Full Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Early, Mid, Late), Summer (Early, Mid, Late), Fall, Winter
Height 1' - 2' (30cm - 60cm)
Spread 2' - 3' (60cm - 90cm)
Spacing 30" (80cm)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Low
Soil Type Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Well-Drained
Characteristics Showy, Evergreen
Tolerance Drought, Deer, Rabbit, Dry Soil
Attracts Butterflies, Hummingbirds
Garden Uses Beds And Borders, Patio And Containers
Garden Styles Mediterranean Garden, Informal and Cottage, Gravel and Rock Garden, City and Courtyard, Coastal Garden
How Many Plants
Do I Need?
Explore Great Plant Combination Ideas
Euphorbia (Spurge)
Guides with
Euphorbia (Spurge)
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