Euphorbia 'Grey Hedgehog' (Spurge 'Grey Hedgehog')

Botanical name

Euphorbia 'Grey Hedgehog'

Other names

Spurge 'Grey Hedgehog', Little fir spurge 'Grey Hedgehog', Euphorbia pithyusa 'Grey Hedgehog'

Genus

Euphorbia Euphorbia

Variety or Cultivar

'Grey Hedgehog' _ 'Grey Hedgehog' is a compact, dense, mound-forming, evergreen perennial with upright stems bearing narrowly lance-shaped, grey-green leaves and branched clusters of yellow-green flowers from late spring into summer.

Foliage

Evergreen

Habit

Compact, Cushion or Mound Forming, Upright

Toxicity

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

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Colour

Flower

Yellow-green in Spring; Yellow-green in Summer

Foliage

Grey-green in All seasons

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How to care

Watch out for

Pests

Generally pest-free.

Diseases

Generally disease-free.

General care

Pruning

Deadhead to improve appearance and maintain compact, mounded habit.

Propagation methods

Basal cuttings

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Monthly care advice

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Where to grow

Euphorbia 'Grey Hedgehog' (Spurge 'Grey Hedgehog') will reach a height of 0.25m and a spread of 0.3m after 2-5 years.

Suggested uses

Beds and borders, Conservatory, Containers, Cottage/Informal, Drought Tolerant, Gravel, Greenhouse, Ground Cover, Mediterranean, Rock

Cultivation

Grow in well-drained soil in sun or partial shade in shelter. Heat & drought tolerant. Mulch in cold areas. In cold areas, grow under glass, grow in a mix of 3 parts loam-based compost, 1 part grit in full light. Ventilate well, water sparingly & feed mon

Soil type

Chalky, Clay, Loamy, Sandy (will tolerate most soil types)

Soil drainage

Moist but well-drained, Well-drained

Soil pH

Acid, Alkaline, Neutral

Light

Partial Shade, Full Sun

Aspect

South, East, West

Exposure

Sheltered

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

Tender in frost (H3), Hardy (H4)

USDA zones

Zone 11, Zone 10, Zone 9, Zone 8

Defra's Risk register #1

Plant name

Euphorbia 'Grey Hedgehog' (Spurge 'Grey Hedgehog')

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 'Grey Hedgehog' (Spurge 'Grey Hedgehog')

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 'Grey Hedgehog' (Spurge 'Grey Hedgehog')

Common pest name

pink wax scale; red was scale; ruby wax scale

Scientific pest name

Ceroplastes rubens

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

Based on its biology and low potential impact continued action on this pest in the UK would not be considered appropriate. It is likely to be of more concern to southern Member States of the EU; as it is an economic pest of citrus.

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/