Digging Dog Nursery Shrubs

Euphorbia (Milkwort)
at Digging Dog

Including Euphorbia characias, Euphorbia cyparissias, & Euphorbia griffithii

Euphorbia

Milkwort

Named after Euphorbus, physician to the king of Mauritania, this robust, sun-loving genus includes the familiar Poinsettia and is over 1600 species strong. Most species have a poisonous milky sap and softly colored bracts that surround subtly defined flowers. Autumn watches their narrow green leaves turn shades of red, orange and yellow.

Euphorbia ‘Blue Haze’ full sun

This choice Euphorbia hybrid between nicaeensis and seguieriana subsp. niciciana is relatively unknown. Crowned by yellow-green flower heads, the attractive, blue-gray linear foliage is densely arranged in a compact and bushy evergreen mound. A backdrop of Cistus ‘Little Gem’ with Geranium ‘Orion’ creates a pleasing contrast to its pale pointed leaves and glowing blooms.

Blooms July–September.

Size: 18" high x 2' wide; hardy to zone 5.

Euphorbia Blue Haze (P-1235)
Each $7.00
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Euphorbia ‘Canyon Gold’ full sun

A standout for its wine-colored new growth, bronzy purple foliage with red-hued leaf undersides and stocky red stems, this robust, low growing wulfenii hybrid boasts large, cylindrical, golden yellow flower heads. Try planting in a mixed border with Cistus ‘Snow White’ and Cynoglossum nervosum for spectacular concurrent blooms.

Blooms April–late July.

Size: 2-1/2' high x 3' wide; hardy to zone 7.

Euphorbia Canyon Gold (P-0744)
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Euphorbia ‘Dean’s Hybrid’ full sun

We have Dean Dalton of Occidental, California to thank for discovering this brilliantly colored, marathon blooming Euphorbia. Electrifying billows painted in acid yellows envelope a dense green globelike mound of fine textured narrow foliage.

First staged in spring, followed by a rebloom from summer until nearly winter, the fantastic floral show eventually attains orange hues, further heightening its low growing understory. In addition to his untiring floriferous nature, ‘Dean’s Hybrid’ maintains a well mannered, carefree profile that looks downright extraordinary as a container subject, spotlighted atop a wall or by a staircase.

Blooms April & September–October.

Size: 18"–2' high x 2' wide; hardy to zone 7.

Euphorbia Dean’s Hybrid (P-1337)
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Euphorbia ‘Excalibur’ full sun

We are pleased to be able to offer this regal Euphorbia from England. Red-tinted young shoots add colorful accents, while the slender leaves have a prominent creamy midrib and are delicately rimmed in a deep velvety burgundy. Long lasting yellow bracts crown the stunning display. For a lively match, try planting ‘Excalibur’ with Geranium ‘Nimbus’.

Blooms June–July.

Size: 3' high x 2' wide; hardy to zone 5.

Euphorbia Excalibur (P-0743)
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Euphorbia ‘Helen Robinson’ partial shade

From the robbiae side of the family, this choice, stalwart Euphorbia inherits its compact stature, shade tolerance, and handsome, stout rosettes of blunt-tipped, dark green leaves; the characias side contributes the good-sized chartreuse flower heads. In our garden, it acccompanies Anchusa with a carpet of Corydalis ‘Pere David’ skirting beneath.

Blooms April–mid-July.

Size: 2-1/2' high x 3' wide; hardy to zone 7.

AVAILABLE MID-APRIL 2008

Euphorbia Helen Robinson (P-0849)
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Euphorbia ‘Jade Dragon’ full sun
Euphorbia  Jade Dragon

Evoking images of viridescent dragon scales, the pointed, blue-green leaves create a compact, deer proof assemblage that’s infused with reddish purple tinges. This robust, tidy-looking Milkwort shoulders summer blooming chartreuse flower heads nearly one foot across. Consorts such as Panicum ‘Heavy Metal’ and Eupatorium ‘Gateway’ enhance its colorful hues.

Blooms July–October.

Size: 2'–2-1/2' high x 3' wide; hardy to zone 7.

Euphorbia Jade Dragon (P-0440)
Each $6.50
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Euphorbia ‘Royal Velvet’ full sun

Whorling around stout red-tinted stems, distinctively tailored velvetlike leaves emerge deep purplish red, then soften to a blue-green on top with plush rubescent shades below. Eight in. long flower spikes hold maroon-centered, glowing chartreuse flowers above the neat compact mound. A choice new evergreen hybrid between Euphorbia characias ‘Portuguese Velvet’ and Euphorbia x martinii ‘Red Martin’ that relishes good drainage, this must-have Euphorbia originated in Ernie and Marietta O’Byrne’s superb Eugene, Oregon garden.

Blooms April to mid-July.

Size: 2'–2-1/2' high x 2'–2-1/2' wide; hardy to zone 7.

AVAILABLE LATE APRIL 2008

Euphorbia Royal Velvet (P-1449)
Each $7.00
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Euphorbia characias ‘Black Pearl’ full sun

Small brilliant chartreuse flowers centered by ebony nectaries dot the lime-green floral bracts and look like eyes mysteriously peering out at you from large domed heads that possess a dark allure. This striking presentation heightens an attractive, somewhat round, bushy stand of stout stems and long, narrow whorled leaves in composed gray greens and misty blues.

Relatively new on the scene and shrouded with sophistication, ‘Black Pearl’ begs a position where its mesmerizing detail and color can be easily indulged.

Blooms March–May.

Size: 3' high x 3' wide; hardy to zone 6.

Euphorbia characias Black Pearl (p-1352)
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Euphorbia characias ‘Red Wing’ full sun

Perhaps more muted in color than a cardinal’s wing but still as captivating, this new cultivar is enlivened with red-tinged young growth and red floral buds held by reddish stems. All this rubescent coloring richly complements the handsome dark green foliage, and in late winter the profusion of radiant yellow-green bracts set its compact form aglow. Appealing year-round, ‘Red Wing’ can be paired with Omphalodes.

Blooms late March–May.

Size: 20"–2' high x 2' wide; hardy to zone 5.

AVAILABLE MID-APRIL 2008

Euphorbia characias Red Wing (P-1106)
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Euphorbia characias ssp. wulfenii full sun Euphorbia characias ssp. wulfenii

Distinctive and drought tolerant, this Euphorbia deserves to be used as a specimen. Its cylindrical flower heads are yellow-green and can reach 6 to 9 in. across and 9 in. high. Combine with an understory of Nepeta and Heuchera ‘Apple Blossom’, and enjoy the dynamic array of bloom color.

Blooms March–June.

Size: 3'–5' high x 3'–4' wide; hardy to zone 7.


Euphorbia characias ssp. wulfenii (P-0294)
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Euphorbia characias ssp. wulfenii ‘John Tomlinson’ full sun

A selection made from wild seed collected in the former Yugoslavia by the namesake, this charismatic Euphorbia is esteemed for its handsome compact profile and glowing yellow-green conical inflorescences. Large rounded and broad heads taper towards the base while housing crowded bell-shaped flowers.

With color that promises to exhilarate, ‘John Tomlinson’ unites swirls of waxy blue-gray leaves on green stems beneath dazzling, sunshine-bright blooms alongside warm-hued Isoplexis canariensis in our mixed border.

Blooms March–June.

Size: 3'–4' high x 3'–4' wide; hardy to zone 7.

AVAILABLE FALL 2008

Euphorbia characias ssp. wulfenii John Tomlinson (P-1338)
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Euphorbia characias ssp. wulfenii ‘Lambrook Gold’ full sun

This show-stopping spurge was bred into being by the late plantswoman Margery Fish. Large, glowingly yellow blooms have a bright, canary chroma that competes with the sun. Broad and bushy, its compact forest of erect stems is lined with slender gray-green leaves, relaxing downward in graceful arcs.

Blooms March–early July.

Size: 3-1/2' high x 3-1/2'–4' wide; hardy to zone 7.

Euphorbia characias ssp. wulfenii Lambrook Gold (P-0996)
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Euphorbia griffithii ‘Fern Cottage’ full sun  partial shade

Warm colors radiate from this vigorous seedling selection by Clive Jones, named in honor of the house he was living in at the time. Bronzy pink tips, colorful reddish stems and leaf margins, burnt orange flower bracts and magnificent fall color give ‘Fern Cottage’ a cheerful rosy glow through most of the season.

Blooms March–July.

Size: 3'–3-1/2' high x 2' & spreading; hardy to zone 6.

AVAILABLE EARLY MAY 2008

Euphorbia griffithii Fern Cottage (P-0747)
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Euphorbia griffithii ‘Fireglow’ full sun  partial shade

This bold native of the Himalayas and western Asia warms any rock garden and makes a magnificent companion to Corydalis f. ‘Blue Panda’ and Kerria ‘Albiflora’. ‘Fireglow’s flame orange bracts and brick-colored flowers stand torchlike on strong pomegranate red stems, and its soft green foliage blushes crimson and yellow in the fall.

Blooms April–July.

Size: 3' high x 2' & spreading; hardy to zone 6.

Euphorbia griffithii Fireglow (p-0070)
Each $6.50
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Euphorbia griffithii ‘Great Dixter’ full sun  partial shade

Renowned garden writer Christopher Lloyd, selected this Euphorbia for its sumptuous display of fiery hues. Heightened by purple coral shoots, reddish bronze stems, dark green foliage flushed with copper-red tints and burnt apricot-pink blooms, ‘Great Dixter’ seldom experiences a lackluster moment. The unforgettable brilliance that emanates from this superb, compact griffithii can be shown to great affect next to Brunnera ‘Langtrees’s soothing colors.

Blooms April–July.

Size: 2'–3' high x 2' & spreading; hardy to zone 6.

AVAILABLE JUNE 2008

Euphorbia griffithii Great Dixter (P-1232)
Each $7.50
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Euphorbia myrsinites full sun

Waxed silvery blue, evergreen leaves held in succulent spirals make this stalwart perennial appear otherwordly. In midwinter, its thick trailing stems grow upward, fashioning an 8 in. tall base for the starry, lime-green flowers and lemon-yellow bracts, which form large brilliant crowns, highlighted with pinkish streaks. A Eurasian native undaunted by cold, heat or drought, Euphorbia myrsinites brings an exotic flavor to a well drained site in the rockery or atop a dry stone wall. Zone 5/6.

Blooms April–June.

Size: 15" high x 2' wide; hardy to zone 6.

Euphorbia myrsinites (P-1260)
Each $6.50
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Euphorbia polychroma ‘Candy’ full sun

A sweet melding of purplish new tips in spring, sulphur yellow flowers and narrow, curvy-edged leaves with a bluish tint creates an exceptionally tidy, low growing mound. A delectable addition to any border, pair this carefree, long-lived Euphorbia with Brunnera or Omphalodes.

Blooms February–May.

Size: 12"–16" high x 2-1/2' wide; hardy to zone 5.

Euphorbia polychroma Candy (P-0748)
Each $6.50
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Euphorbia rigida full sun

Beware! The sculptural patterns created by these sharply pointed, powder blue, narrow leaves clasping pale green stems may leave you feeling mesmerized. Warmed with burgundy tinges as the weather cools, the fleshy, evergreen foliage bolsters acid green, rounded flower heads that remind us of miniature poinsettia blooms.

Claiming the Mediterranean from Portugal to South Africa as its homeland, this easy-to-grow toughie asks only for a dry, sunny spot, and in turn promises superb winter color in a container or in the garden amid small bulbs and Agave ‘Garland’s Gold’. Zone 7/8.

Blooms April–June.

Size: 18"–2' high x 2' wide; hardy to zone 8.

Euphorbia rigida (p-1259)
Each $6.50
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Customer Comment:

“...a perfect experience.”

~F.W. in Kansas


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