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Growth Rate
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Moderate; forms clumps that slowly expand with age
Mature size about 18–24 inches tall and wide
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Colorful leaves
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Flowering
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Yes |
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Bloom Color
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Disease resistant
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Yes |
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Cold Tolerant
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Yes |
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Heat Tolerant
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Yes |
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Drought Tolerant
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Yes |
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Deer Resistant
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Yes |
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Edible
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No |
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Wildlife Attraction
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- Flowers attract bees and other pollinators
Deer and rabbits generally avoid Euphorbia due to irritating sap
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Self-pollinating
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Seasonality
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- Spring: fresh burgundy foliage emerges, followed by flower bracts
Summer: peak bract display; foliage maintains strong color
Fall: foliage continues with merlot tones, may deepen with cool nights
Winter: semi-evergreen; in mild climates holds foliage, in colder zones may die back
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Ideal For
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– Rock gardens, xeriscaping, Mediterranean gardens, modern borders, mixed perennial beds, mass plantings for color contrast, low-maintenance landscapes |
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Leaf Description
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Deep merlot to burgundy foliage, lance-shaped and narrow, creating rich color contrast in beds
Evergreen to semi-evergreen depending on climate; may fade slightly in extreme heat or cold
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Flower Description
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Clusters of chartreuse to yellow-green bracts appear in late spring to early summer
Bracts contrast strongly with dark foliage, creating a vivid two-tone effect
True flowers are tiny and inconspicuous, hidden within the bracts
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Planting Instructions
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Plant in sharply drained, moderately fertile soil; thrives in sandy, rocky, or gravelly soils
Site in raised beds, rock gardens, or slopes where drainage is excellent
Space plants 18–24 inches apart to allow clump formation without overcrowding
Plant crown at soil level; avoid burying stems, which can encourage rot
Best planted in spring or early fall so roots establish before heat or frost extremes
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Pruning & Maintenance
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Deadhead spent bracts to tidy and prolong foliage effect
Cut back old stems after flowering to encourage fresh new growth
Wear gloves when pruning, as the milky sap can irritate skin and eyes
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Water Needs
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Low to moderate water once established
Drought tolerant, but performs best with occasional deep watering during long dry periods
Avoid soggy soils; excessive moisture increases risk of crown rot
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Light Needs
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Full sun is ideal for deepest foliage color and strong flowering
Can tolerate very light partial shade, but foliage may be less vibrant
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Harvesting
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Not grown for harvest; cut stems can be used in floral arrangements but require care due to sap
To use as cut flowers, sear ends of stems with flame or hot water to stop sap flow
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Fertilizing
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- Low fertility needs; too much fertilizer encourages leggy growth
Apply a light top-dressing of compost in spring to refresh soil
Avoid high-nitrogen feeds, which reduce foliage color intensity
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Pollination
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Flowers are insect-pollinated, attracting bees, flies, and other beneficial insects
Euphorbia flowers are specialized “cyathia” with showy bracts rather than petals
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Companion Plants
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Combines well with silver- or blue-foliaged perennials such as Artemisia, Perovskia, Stachys byzantina, and Lavandula
Works beautifully with ornamental grasses like Festuca glauca or Pennisetum
Striking alongside drought-tolerant bloomers like Salvia, Gaillardia, Coreopsis, and Echinacea
Excellent in xeriscape, Mediterranean, and modern mixed borders
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