26 GARDEN GATE | OCTOBER 2019 | ISSUE 149
Mediterranean spurge
Euphorbia characias wulfenii
Mediterranean spurge is so easy to grow, it
would be a crime not to. And why wouldn’t
you with these striking bottlebrush blooms
glowing in chartreuse green? Those enormous
fl owers are really bracts with a touch of purple
on the nectar glands. Spirally arranged leaves
are blue-green, giving the plant a cool vibe.
The foliage contains a milky sap that can be
irritating to skin and eyes, so do be careful
when cutting back spent blooms to the ground
to encourage more fl owers.
Even though it’s only perennial in warm
zones, Northern growers can enjoy Mediter-
ranean spurge in containers as an annual.
It tolerates drought and heat, making it
the perfect choice as a focal point in a rock
garden. Used in a mass planting, it can make a
backdrop to play up other colorful plants.Perennial Blooms: Green-yellow bracts in early spring
to early summer Light: Full sun to part shade Soil:
Moist, well-drained to dry soils Size: 3 to 5 ft. tall, 3 to 4
ft. wide Cold hardy: USDA zones 7 to 11 Source: Digging
Dog Nursery, diggingdog.com, 707-937-1130Kangaroo paw
Anigozanthos spp. and hybrids
With fuzzy fl owers reminiscent of a kangaroo’s
paw, this unique plant is sure to cause inquisi-
tive garden visitors young and old to stop and
touch—they won’t be able to help themselves.
The many species and cultivars range so much
in height and color you’ll surely fi nd one to
suit your garden. Dramatic in the back of the
border, tall varieties call for attention. But even
the shorter kangaroo paws make their presence
known in containers or the front of the border
with spiky foliage and nonstop furry blooms.
Kangaroo paw thrives in sandy, dry soil with
minimal fertility, but if your plant’s blooming
slows down, jump start it with extra water
and a shot of general-purpose water-soluble
fertilizer. It will keep blooming prolifi cally all
summer. Cut back spent fl owers to the ground
to motivate it to bloom even more. It loves
hot weather, but cool temperatures intensify
the colors.Tender perennial Blooms: Red, orange, yellow, white,
pink and purple flower clusters spring through fall Light:
Full sun Soil: Sandy, well-drained Size: 1 to 6 ft. tall,
in bloom, 1 to 3 ft. wide Cold hardy: USDA zones 9 to 11
Source: Local garden centersSTATEMENT PLANTS
LOCATION: Atlanta Botanical GardenLOCATION: Chicago Botanic Garden‘Kanga Pink’GG14922_29_Top Picks.indd 26GG14922_29_Top Picks.indd 26 6/26/2019 9:38:04 AM6/26/2019 9:38:04 AM26 GARDEN GATE | OCTOBER 2019 | ISSUE 149
Mediterranean spurge
Euphorbia characias wulfenii
Mediterranean spurge is so easy to grow, it
would be a crime not to. And why wouldn’t
you with these striking bottlebrush blooms
glowing in chartreuse green? Those enormous
fl owers are really bracts with a touch of purple
on the nectar glands. Spirally arranged leaves
are blue-green, giving the plant a cool vibe.
The foliage contains a milky sap that can be
irritating to skin and eyes, so do be careful
when cutting back spent blooms to the ground
to encourage more fl owers.
Even though it’s only perennial in warm
zones, Northern growers can enjoy Mediter-
ranean spurge in containers as an annual.
It tolerates drought and heat, making it
the perfect choice as a focal point in a rock
garden. Used in a mass planting, it can make a
backdrop to play up other colorful plants.Perennial Blooms: Green-yellow bracts in early spring
to early summer Light: Full sun to part shade Soil:
Moist, well-drained to dry soils Size: 3 to 5 ft. tall, 3 to 4
ft. wide Cold hardy: USDA zones 7 to 11 Source: Digging
Dog Nursery, diggingdog.com, 707-937-1130Kangaroo paw
Anigozanthos spp. and hybrids
With fuzzy fl owers reminiscent of a kangaroo’s
paw, this unique plant is sure to cause inquisi-
tive garden visitors young and old to stop and
touch—they won’t be able to help themselves.
The many species and cultivars range so much
in height and color you’ll surely fi nd one to
suit your garden. Dramatic in the back of the
border, tall varieties call for attention. But even
the shorter kangaroo paws make their presence
known in containers or the front of the border
with spiky foliage and nonstop furry blooms.
Kangaroo paw thrives in sandy, dry soil with
minimal fertility, but if your plant’s blooming
slows down, jump start it with extra water
and a shot of general-purpose water-soluble
fertilizer. It will keep blooming prolifi cally all
summer. Cut back spent fl owers to the ground
to motivate it to bloom even more. It loves
hot weather, but cool temperatures intensify
the colors.Tender perennial Blooms: Red, orange, yellow, white,
pink and purple flower clusters spring through fall Light:
Full sun Soil: Sandy, well-drained Size: 1 to 6 ft. tall,
in bloom, 1 to 3 ft. wide Cold hardy: USDA zones 9 to 11
Source: Local garden centersSTATEMENT PLANTS
LOCATION: Atlanta Botanical GardenLOCATION: Chicago Botanic Garden‘Kanga Pink’