Euphorbia euphoria
After admiring ‘Blackbird’ euphorbia on several West Coast garden blogs, and unable to find it locally, I purchased three small plants from Plant Delights last September and planted them in my xeric raised beds. Two immediately wilted and died. The third, situated in bright shade next to the silvery blue ‘Whale’s Tongue’ agave, survived the end of summer and came through our recent hard winter with only a bit of leaf burn at the tips. And now it’s blooming! The plant as a whole has a spindly, leggy look, with a dark plumage of leaves on top like a bantam rooster’s tail feathers. I’ll cut it back after the flowers fade, and I’ll try my hand at propagating it to replace the ones I lost.
The most dependable euphorbia in my garden, Euphorbia rigida, or gopher plant, is also in full bloom. Very succulent-like, with fleshy stems and coarse leaves, it sprawls along the edge of my raised beds…
…and vies with the ‘Color Guard’ yuccas out front for the brightest-yellow award.
I love its blue-green foliage and dependable nature: once established it requires little water and survived our week of freezing weather with no damage at all.
It’s one of the earliest blooming plants in my garden, beating out even the daffodils and tying with Carolina jessamine. All yellows, curiously enough.
All material © 2006-2011 by Pam Penick for Digging. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited.
My Euphorbia rigida looks exactly like yours does right now. One of my favorite plants too. It’s funny – I have a similar combination near my sidewalk with yuccas planted with Euphorbia rigida, only my yuccas are ‘Bright Edge.’ I wanted the ‘Color Guard’ but they were out. Seeing your photos now, I wish I had mailordered the ‘Color Guard!’
A gardening friend in Belton, TX said she couldn’t keep her Euphorbia ‘Blackbird’ alive. She prefers Euphorbia wulfenii instead. Apparently ‘Blackbird’ just doesn’t tolerate the intense heat of TX and prefers the climes of CA . . . Yours is very beautiful though – I guess a bit of shade is the key to keeping it going . . .
I’m glad to hear about your friend’s success with E. wulfenii. I knew I was taking a chance with ‘Blackbird’ in my climate, but I’d love to try wulfenii too if it has a chance in our extreme heat. —Pam
Pam, I love the combo of euphorbias with the spiky yucca and agave! Here in CT we’re limited, but polychroma is a standout for us, blooming early to complement the other spring yellows.
Euphorbia polychroma is lovely too. And perhaps you could grow it with ‘Color Guard’ yucca in your zone? I understand it is hardy to zone 5. Margaret Roach of A Way to Garden is growing this yucca in her upstate NY garden. —Pam
I’ve been wanting the gopher plant euphorbia for years! Glad to see it’s such a dependable one for you. Hope the Blackbird does the same once it’s established; are those the true colors of the foliage and blooms, or are they ‘frost enhanced’? Either way, the colors are beautiful.
These are the true colors of ‘Blackbird’ euphorbia, Amy. It’s a naturally dark plant. I’ve seen gopher plant for sale at Natural Gardener and the Great Outdoors in recent weeks. —Pam
Love the Yucca ‘Color Guard’/Euphorbia combination. Great textural differences but a wonderful color connection!!!
Thanks, CIMS. I’ve got a few daffodils and scrubby native damianita coming up in there too. More yellows! —Pam
I’m another huge euphorbia fan, and have tried many different varieties over the years. I have had the ‘Blackbird’ in my garden now for 2 years with mixed results (at best). Once they take, they’re fairly reliable, but getting them to ‘take’ is the challenge. Out here in CA, they’re not as dependable as others. When planting them in clients’ gardens I only buy them as 5-gallons now, and have had much better luck with them. Glad to hear it’s not just me who’s having problems! But they’re so dang gorgeous, it’s worth the risk, isn’t it? Your yucca/euphorbia combo is stunning!
Interesting that you have trouble with ‘Blackbird’ too, Rebecca. I figured it loves the San Francisco-area climate, but I guess not? But yes, like you said, sometimes you just throw good money at a plant that isn’t really suitable because you fall in love with it. If you’re lucky, you come to your senses sooner rather than later. 😉 —Pam
I do love Euphorbias…and they tend to grow like weeds here in Portland! I’ve had ‘Blackbird’ for a couple years now, but for some reason this winter it’s really died back…I only have 1 or 2 stems alive. I guess I’ll cut it back and hope for regrowth 🙁 I also have a variety called ‘Faded Jeans’ which looks a lot like E. rigida…but slightly smaller, with tighter-packed leaves. It’s my fave and is so charming all year long. I recently planted ‘Dixter’ and am excited to see how it fares (although it has a reputation for being a bit invasive).
I’m intrigued by all the ones you listed, Scott. Lucky you to be in the euphorbia zone! —Pam
I found the Blackbird Euphorbia at a big box store here and tried it. I can’t hardly resist plants with bird names. It didn’t live through our winters even though I thought it might. I like the dark of the leaves. I hope it does well for you.
I’m sorry it didn’t survive for you, Lisa. I will be surprised if it survives long for me. I wonder what its perfect climate is. Seattle? —Pam
That last photo is really nice; I think I could sit in that one spot, relax & stare at that view for quite some time.
And you are welcome to do so the next time you come over, RBell. —Pam
I found Blackbird at Walmart of all places. It not only made it through last summer, but the wicked winter as well. I’m impressed. It looks amazing next to the smoky blue agaves and lime green aloes.
Amazing! At Walmart? You simply must tweet about these finds, Suzie. 😉 —Pam
On our too large garden acreage here in Northern California we have Euphorbia rigida naturalizing explosively….which would even be better if it really did keep the gophers out!! I would love to get a few more species going but definitely (in a good way) have my hands full with my current crop of Euphorbia!
I’m envious, Ian. Although there is such a thing as too much of a good thing. 🙂 —Pam