Euphorbia hypericifolia 'Diamond Frost' (Spurge 'Diamond Frost')

Botanical name

Euphorbia hypericifolia 'Diamond Frost'

Other names

Spurge 'Diamond Frost', Euphorbia hypericifolia 'Inneuphe', Chamaesyce hypericifolia 'Diamond Frost', Euphorbia 'Inneuphdia', Euphorbia graminea 'Diamond Frost'

Genus

Euphorbia Euphorbia

Variety or Cultivar

'Diamond Frost' _ 'Diamond Frost' is a tender, upright, mound-forming, evergreen perennial, often grown as an annual, with elliptic to lance-shaped, mid- to dark green leaves and branched clusters of white flowers on slender stems from late spring into autumn.

Native to

Garden origin

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

White in Spring; White in Summer; White in Autumn

Foliage

Mid-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

Though virtually self-cleaning, can be deadheaded to improve appearance and maintain compact, mounded habit. If overwintered, cut back before taking outdoors in spring after the last frost date.

Propagation methods

Basal cuttings

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Monthly care advice

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Where to grow

Euphorbia hypericifolia 'Diamond Frost' (Spurge 'Diamond Frost') will reach a height of 0.45m 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 moderately fertile, well-drained soil in sun or part shade. Heat & drought tolerant. Overwinter indoors or discard in autumn. Under glass, grow in 3 parts loam-based compost, 1 part grit in full light & ventilation. Water sparingly & feed monthly.

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.

Indoor heated (H1), Tender in frost (H3)

USDA zones

Zone 12, Zone 11, Zone 10

Defra's Risk register #1

Plant name

Euphorbia hypericifolia 'Diamond Frost' (Spurge 'Diamond Frost')

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 hypericifolia 'Diamond Frost' (Spurge 'Diamond Frost')

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.

Defra's Risk register #3

Plant name

Euphorbia hypericifolia 'Diamond Frost' (Spurge 'Diamond Frost')

Common pest name

Banded-winged whitefly

Scientific pest name

Trialeurodes abutiloneus

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

Polyphagous whitefly native to the Americas with the potential to introduce harmful viruses to the UK. EU regulation should be considered and further assessed by EPPO.

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/