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Euphorbia marginata (Snow On The Mountain)

Snow On The Mountain, Snow-on-the-mountain, Snow in Summer, Ghost Weed, Mountain Snow, Mountain Spurge, Snow Thoroughwort, Agaloma marginata, Dichrophyllum marginatum, Lepadena marginata

Euphorbia marginata, Snow On The Mountain, Snow-on-the-mountain, Snow in Summer, Ghost Weed, Mountain Snow, Mountain Spurge, Variegated Spurge, Variegated Euphorbia
Euphorbia marginata, Snow On The Mountain, Snow-on-the-mountain, Snow in Summer, Ghost Weed, Mountain Snow, Mountain Spurge, Variegated Spurge, Variegated Euphorbia

Valued as much for its dramatically variegated foliage as for its long-lasting flowers, Euphorbia marginata (Snow On The Mountain) is a single-stemmed annual adorned with oval light green leaves, the upper leaves being striped or margined white, and sometimes even solid white. Tiny flowers, each with white, petal-like bracts, are borne in clusters atop the stems from midsummer to early fall. The overall effect is very eye-catching. Standing out 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. Perfect for wildflower meadows or perennial borders.

  • Grows up to 1-3 ft. tall (30-90 cm) and 1-2 ft. wide (30-60 cm). Will self-seeding and remain in the garden year after year.
  • Performs best in full sun in average, dry to medium, sharply-drained soils. Welcomes some afternoon shade in hot summer climates. Don’t put this plant in too much shade though, or it will get floppy and fall over. Tolerant of poor soils, including rocky-sandy ones, this plant is also drought tolerant.
  • Makes a perfect focal point for beds and borders, prairies and meadows or cutting gardens.
  • No serious pest or disease issues. Keep an eye out for aphids. Rabbit and deer resistant.
  • Propagate by seed sown in fall or spring.
  • Wear gloves when cutting as both stems and leaves contain a poisonous milky sap.
  • Native to temperate North America.

Requirements

Hardiness 2 - 11
Heat Zones 1 - 11
Climate Zones 1, 1A, 1B, 2, 2A, 2B, 3, 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 Annuals
Plant Family Euphorbiaceae
Genus Euphorbia
Common names Mountain Snow, Snow On The Mountain, Snow in Summer
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Summer (Mid, Late)
Fall
Height 1' - 3'
(30cm - 90cm)
Spread 1' - 2'
(30cm - 60cm)
Spacing 24" (60cm)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Low, Average
Soil Type Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Well-Drained
Characteristics Showy
Native Plants United States, New Jersey, New York, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Delaware, Rocky Mountains, Southeast, Southwest, Northeast, California, Midwest, Michigan, Wisconsin, South Dakota, North Dakota, Nebraska, Iowa, Indiana, Ohio, Minnesota, Missouri, Illinois, Kansas, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, South Carolina, Alabama, Georgia, Arkansas, Florida, Kentucky, North Carolina, Mississippi, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Texas, Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado, Montana, Utah, Wyoming
Tolerance Drought, Deer, Rabbit
Attracts Butterflies
Garden Uses Beds And Borders
Garden Styles Prairie and Meadow, Cutting 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

Festuca idahoensis (Idaho Fescue)
Eryngium planum ‘Blue Cap’ (Flat Sea Holly)
Rudbeckia triloba ‘Prairie Glow’ (Brown-Eyed Susan)
Cosmos bipinnatus ‘Sonata White’
Pennisetum villosum (Feathertop Grass)
Rudbeckia hirta ‘Prairie Sun’ (Black-Eyed Susan)

Find In One of Our Guides or Gardens

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 2 - 11
Heat Zones 1 - 11
Climate Zones 1, 1A, 1B, 2, 2A, 2B, 3, 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 Annuals
Plant Family Euphorbiaceae
Genus Euphorbia
Common names Mountain Snow, Snow On The Mountain, Snow in Summer
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Summer (Mid, Late)
Fall
Height 1' - 3'
(30cm - 90cm)
Spread 1' - 2'
(30cm - 60cm)
Spacing 24" (60cm)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Low, Average
Soil Type Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Well-Drained
Characteristics Showy
Native Plants United States, New Jersey, New York, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Delaware, Rocky Mountains, Southeast, Southwest, Northeast, California, Midwest, Michigan, Wisconsin, South Dakota, North Dakota, Nebraska, Iowa, Indiana, Ohio, Minnesota, Missouri, Illinois, Kansas, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, South Carolina, Alabama, Georgia, Arkansas, Florida, Kentucky, North Carolina, Mississippi, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Texas, Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado, Montana, Utah, Wyoming
Tolerance Drought, Deer, Rabbit
Attracts Butterflies
Garden Uses Beds And Borders
Garden Styles Prairie and Meadow, Cutting Garden, Informal and Cottage
How Many Plants
Do I Need?
Explore Great Plant Combination Ideas
Euphorbia (Spurge)
Guides with
Euphorbia (Spurge)
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