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Euphorbia stricta (Upright spruge)
1 hour care
per year
per year
0.8m
Max height
Max height
0.5m
Max spread
Max spread
2-5 years
To maturity
To maturity
Low
Toxicity
Toxicity
Plant details
Botanical name
Euphorbia stricta
Other names
Upright spruge, Euphobia stricta 'Golden Foam', Euphorbia serrulata, Tintern spurge
Genus
Euphorbia Euphorbia
Species
E. stricta - E. stricta is a bushy, rounded annual or short-lived perennial with upright, red-flushed stems bearing oblong to lance-shaped, yellow-green to pale green leaves. Cymes of tiny, light green flowers with prominent, cup-shaped, bright yellow-green bracts bloom from late spring into autumn.
Euphorbia stricta is: Evergreen
Habit
Erect, Clump-forming, Upright
Toxicity
All parts of the plant are highly toxic if ingested. The milky sap may cause irritation to skin and eyes.
Flower
Yellow-green in Spring; Yellow-green in Summer; Yellow-green in Autumn
Foliage
Light green in All seasons
How to care
Watch out for
Specific pests
Aphids Aphids
Grey mould Grey mould
General care
Pruning
In mild areas, remove spent flower stems at the base in autumn. In colder areas, delay this pruning until early spring.
Propagation
Tends to self-seed readily in ideal growing conditions.
Propagation methods
Seed
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Where to grow
Euphorbia stricta (Upright spruge) will reach a height of 0.8m 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
Grow in light, well-drained soil in full sun or dapple shade.
Soil type
Chalky, Loamy, Sandy
Soil drainage
Well-drained
Soil pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Light
Partial Shade, Full Sun
Aspect
South, East, West
Exposure
Exposed, Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Hardy (H4)
Companion plants
We do not currently have companion plants added for this plant.
Botanical name
Euphorbia stricta
Other names
Upright spruge, Euphobia stricta 'Golden Foam', Euphorbia serrulata, Tintern spurge
Genus
Euphorbia Euphorbia
Species
E. stricta - E. stricta is a bushy, rounded annual or short-lived perennial with upright, red-flushed stems bearing oblong to lance-shaped, yellow-green to pale green leaves. Cymes of tiny, light green flowers with prominent, cup-shaped, bright yellow-green bracts bloom from late spring into autumn.
Native to
Europe, Mediterranean
Foliage
Evergreen
Habit
Erect, Clump-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; Yellow-green in Autumn
Foliage
Light green in All seasons
How to care
Watch out for
Specific pests
Specific diseases
General care
Pruning
In mild areas, remove spent flower stems at the base in autumn. In colder areas, delay this pruning until early spring.
Propagation
Tends to self-seed readily in ideal growing conditions.
Propagation methods
Seed
Monthly care advice
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Where to grow
Euphorbia stricta (Upright spruge) will reach a height of 0.8m 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
Grow in light, well-drained soil in full sun or dapple shade.
Soil type
Chalky, Loamy, Sandy
Soil drainage
Well-drained
Soil pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Light
Partial Shade, Full Sun
Aspect
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 stricta (Upright spruge)
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 stricta (Upright spruge)
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.
Defra's Risk register #3
Plant name
Euphorbia stricta (Upright spruge)
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: 7th March 2019 For more information visit: https://planthealthportal.defra.gov.uk/
In order to add a note on this plant, please add this plant to your plant lists.
| This plant likes... | Garden match | |
| Soil types: | Chalky, Loamy, Sandy | Tell us... |
| Soil drainage: | Well-drained | Tell us... |
| Soil pH: | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral | Tell us... |
| Light: | Partial Shade, Full Sun | Tell us... |
| Aspect: | South, East, West | Tell us... |
| Exposure: | Exposed, Sheltered | Tell us... |
| Hardiness: | Hardy (H4) | Tell us... |
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