Euphorbia cyparissias ‘Fens Ruby’ (Cypress Spurge)

A very unusual groundcover, Euphorbia cyparissias ‘Fens Ruby’ (Cypress Spurge) is a fast-spreading rhizomatous perennial noted for its colorful foliage and long-lasting chartreuse flowers. Emerging plum-purple in spring, the foliage of soft, narrow leaves, fades to blue-green in summer before turning golden-orange in fall. Semi-evergreen in mild climate areas, this plant dies back to the ground in colder zones. Borne on reddish stems, a forest of tiny flowers held in umbel-like clusters appear in late spring or early summer, consisting primarily of glowing lime-yellow bracts that slowly turn red-orange as they mature. A source of fascination in the garden for its interesting flower heads, ‘Fens Ruby’ is showier than the species, with brighter flowers and finer foliage. It is also not as weedy and adds appeal to the garden throughout the growing season.

• Typically growing up to 16-20 in. tall and wide (40-50 cm), Cypress Spurge is an erect, branching, rhizomatous plant which can rapidly spread to form a bushy ground cover. So, give it its own space as it is an aggressive grower!
• Remaining attractive during all its growing season, this remarkable plant is resilient to most pests and diseases, is drought, deer & rabbit tolerant, and is easy to care for.
• A full sun lover (tolerates very light shade), it thrives in dry, well-drained soils. Poor soils, including rock or sandy ones, are welcomed!
• Perfect as ground cover for dry, sunny slopes, beds and borders, city gardens, coastal gardens, or cottage gardens.
• Can be invasive, particularly in rich, moist soils! So, be prepared to carry out judicious pruning and digging or thinning out as required!
• Find where Euphorbia cyparissias species is invasive in the United States.
• Discover beautiful U.S. native plant alternatives.
• Wear gloves when cutting as both stems and leaves contain a poisonous milky sap.
• Euphorbia cyparissias species is native to Europe.