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
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 |
| 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 | Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Midwest, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Northeast, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Rocky Mountains, South Carolina, South Dakota, Southeast, Southwest, Tennessee, Texas, United States, Utah, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming |
| Tolerance | Drought, Deer, Rabbit |
| Attracts | Butterflies |
| Garden Uses | Beds And Borders |
| Garden Styles | Cutting Garden, Informal and Cottage, Prairie and Meadow |
Alternative Plants to Consider
Recommended Companion Plants
Find In One of Our Guides or Gardens
By Tatyana Mi, Shutterstock
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.
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 |
| 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 | Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Midwest, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Northeast, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Rocky Mountains, South Carolina, South Dakota, Southeast, Southwest, Tennessee, Texas, United States, Utah, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming |
| Tolerance | Drought, Deer, Rabbit |
| Attracts | Butterflies |
| Garden Uses | Beds And Borders |
| Garden Styles | Cutting Garden, Informal and Cottage, Prairie and Meadow |
