Euphorbia 'Miner's Merlot' (Spurge) – Evergreen Perennial (3L Pot)

Euphorbia 'Miner's Merlot' holds slender upright stems of deep burgundy foliage that darkens almost to black by autumn.

Against that, the lime green bract heads it opens in late spring look almost lit up, and they hold for weeks. It stays compact and clump forming, around 60cm each way, which makes it useful as a low informal hedge, a repeat down a gravel bed, or the dark note in a border of grasses and silver foliage.

Plant it in a sunny, well drained spot. Once established it copes with dry soil, coastal exposure and containers, and asks for nothing beyond cutting the flowered stems out at the base once they fade. Bees and butterflies work the bracts, and deer and rabbits tend to leave it alone. Every euphorbia bleeds a milky sap that irritates skin and eyes, so wear gloves and eye protection when cutting back, and all parts are harmful if eaten. It arrives as a large established plant in a 3L pot.

Cultural Information

• Common Name: Spurge
• Fully Grown Height and Spread: About 60cm tall and 60cm wide
• Growth Habit: Upright, clump forming, architectural
• Perfect For: Borders, gravel beds, low hedging, formal beds and containers
• Foliage: Narrow, deep burgundy, darkening to near black by autumn
• Flowering Time: Lime green bracts from late spring into early summer
• Planting Position: Full sun or partial shade, and it copes with dry soil once established, with coastal exposure and with life in a container
• Soil Type: Moist but well drained
• Hardiness: Fully hardy in Britain
• Maintenance: Low. Cut flowered stems to the base in early summer
• Seasonal Interest: Spring and summer, with evergreen structure year round
• Type: Hardy evergreen to semi-evergreen perennial