Euphorbia characias Glacier Blue - Spurge

Euphorbia characias 'Glacier Blue' has a compact bushy habit, with bright evergreen blue-green foliage edged in creamy white. From April to May, it produces a dense mass of flowers with cream bracts and green eyes. Its variegated foliage with silver reflections will give the garden a touch of the Mediterranean Sea.

Euphorbia characias is a shrubby Euphorbia, commonly known as Mediterranean Spurge or Garrigue Spurge, belonging to the Euphorbiaceae family. It is native to Mediterranean regions, from Portugal and western Morocco to Turkey. 'Glacier Blue', derived from the 'Tasmanian Tiger' variety, forms a vigorous undershrub with a woody stump, sporting a dense and ramified bushy tuft. Its habit is erect and very compact. Of medium size, it measures 60 to 70cm (24 to 28in) in height with a 50cm (20in) spread. It has splendid variegated evergreen foliage, composed of narrow linear leaves, with a bluish-green colour. Throughout the year, it will display fascinating colours, initially tinted with bluish-green and silver-grey in summer, then blue-green, silver-grey, and ivory in autumn, and finally grey-green, dark green, burgundy, and ivory in winter, widely marginated with creamy white. From March to June, it offers a long flowering period with cream bracts and green eyes, beautifully contrasting with the variegated foliage.

Euphorbias contain a latex which is highly toxic when ingested. This sap is also incredibly irritating to the skin. It is therefore advisable to use gloves, especially when cutting deflowered stems.

Euphorbia characias, with its exotic appearance, brings a Mediterranean touch to the garden. Its blue-green foliage edged in cream and its green and white flowering are incredibly decorative. Due to its modest size, 'Glacier Blue' will have a beautiful effect when integrated into sunny flower beds and borders, but can also be planted alone or in a rock garden. It will be the perfect companion for Mediterranean shrubs and plants, grasses, and spring bulbs. It adapts very well to container or pot cultivation on a patio or balcony. It requires well-drained and sunny soil. For container cultivation, place a thick layer of drainage material, such as clay balls or gravel, at the bottom of the pot, and use light and fertile soil. It is advisable to raise the pot during the winter period, placing it on "feet" to promote drainage.

Its beautiful stems can be cut to create stunningly colourful bouquets.