Euphorbia amygdaloides 'Purpurea' (Wood spurge 'Purpurea')

Botanical name

Euphorbia amygdaloides 'Purpurea'

Other names

Wood spurge 'Purpurea', Eurphorbia Purpurea

Genus

Euphorbia Euphorbia

Variety or Cultivar

'Purpurea' _ 'Purpurea' is a bushy, softly hairy, evergreen perennial with reddish-purple stems bearing ovate to spoon-shaped, maroon to reddish-purple leaves and cymes of bright yellow-green flowers from mid-spring to early summer.

Foliage

Evergreen

Habit

Spreading

Toxicity

All parts of the plant are highly toxic if ingested. The milky sap may cause irritation to skin and eyes.

Colour

Flower

Yellow-green in Spring

Foliage

Maroon, Dark-green in All seasons

How to care

Watch out for

Specific pests

Aphids

Specific diseases

Grey mould

General care

Pruning

Cut spent flower shoots to the base in late summer or autumn.

Propagation methods

Division

Monthly care advice

Where to grow

Euphorbia amygdaloides 'Purpurea' (Wood spurge 'Purpurea') will reach a height of 0.75m and a spread of 0.5m after 2-5 years.

Suggested uses

Architectural, City, Cottage/Informal, Beds and borders, Ground Cover, Low Maintenance, Underplanting, Woodland

Cultivation

Tolerates most soil types and is happy in sun or shade. It can be invasive, spreading by rhizomes and seed.

Soil type

Chalky, Loamy, Sandy

Soil drainage

Moist but well-drained, Well-drained

Soil pH

Acid, Alkaline, Neutral

Light

Partial Shade, Full Shade, Full Sun

Aspect

North, South, East, West

Exposure

Exposed, Sheltered

UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.

Hardy (H4)

USDA zones

Zone 9, Zone 8, Zone 7, Zone 6

Defra's Risk register #1

Plant name

Euphorbia amygdaloides 'Purpurea' (Wood spurge 'Purpurea')

Common pest name

grape ground pearl

Scientific pest name

Margarodes vitis

Type

Insect

Current status in UK

Absent

Likelihood to spread to UK (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

2

Impact (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

5

General biosecurity comments

Main pathway; Vitis spp. plants for planting; already prohibited. However; further consideration of other pathways is required.

Defra's Risk register #2

Plant name

Euphorbia amygdaloides 'Purpurea' (Wood spurge 'Purpurea')

Common pest name

Powdery mildew: cotton; Powdery mildew: eggplant; Powdery mildew: pepper; Powdery mildew: tomato

Scientific pest name

Leveillula taurica

Type

Fungus

Current status in UK

Present (Limited)

Likelihood to spread in UK (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

3

Impact (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

3

General biosecurity comments

Believed to be present and no statutory action is being taken. Status needs to be confirmed by survey.

Defra's Risk register #3

Plant name

Euphorbia amygdaloides 'Purpurea' (Wood spurge 'Purpurea')

Common pest name

cotton mealybug

Scientific pest name

Phenacoccus solenopsis

Type

Insect

Current status in UK

Absent

Likelihood to spread to UK (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

3

Impact (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

3

General biosecurity comments

Watching brief for potential impact on tomato production in the Mediterranean. Other southern European countries likely to be more at risk. Precautionary action will be taken on findings on planting material to protect glasshouse crops and botanical gardens.

About this section

Our plants are under greater threat than ever before. There is increasing movement of plants and other material traded from an increasing variety of sources. This increases the chances of exotic pests arriving with imported goods and travellers, as well as by natural means. Shoot is working with Defra to help members to do their part in preventing the introduction and spread of invasive risks.

Traveling or importing plants? Please read "Don't risk it" advice here

Suspected outbreak? Click here for contact details to report to the relevant authority.

Date updated: 7^th March 2019 For more information visit: https://planthealthportal.defra.gov.uk/