Euphorbia nicaeensis - Spurge

The Euphorbia nicaeensis, also known as the Nice Spurge, is a wild species that grows spontaneously in the south and east of Europe, often in rocky terrain where it basks in the sun. It has evergreen foliage with a bluish-green color that remains attractive all year round and offers a radiant flowering, in small lemon-yellow umbels. Very hardy in well-drained soil, this spurge is an excellent rock garden and dry garden plant.

The Euphorbia nicaeensis belongs to the Euphorbiaceae family. It is a species present from southern Europe to central Asia (Spain, Portugal, Italy, Croatia, Turkey, Caucasus). It is a perennial plant with a thick stump. It forms numerous upright or spreading stems, yellowish-green or reddish-green, which become bare towards the base. When mature, it will measure approximately 50 cm (20in) in height and 40 cm (16in) in width. Its leaves are lanceolate, narrow, measuring up to 7.5 cm (3in) long. They are numerous, leathery, bluish-green, grouped in bouquets mainly towards the top of the stems over time. The flowering, very bright, takes place from May to July depending on the climate. The flowers are grouped in small terminal umbels, at the tips of the stems. They are very small, without petals, but surrounded by large decorative lemon-yellow bracts. The stems and leaves contain a milky juice that is sticky, toxic if ingested, and irritating to the skin and mucous membranes.

The Nice Spurge will find its place in a sunny and dry rock garden, on a wild slope, or even in a gravel bed where it can self-seed. It can be associated with other ground covers such as small sedums, chickweeds, alyssums, aubrietas, or dwarf artemisias. It will create beautiful spots of light at the base of shrubs, perennials, or dark-foliaged grasses. Plant it, for example, at the base of a Black Lace elderberry with purple sage, Purple Majesty Pennisetum, or with tall sedums like 'Black Jack' or 'Chocolate'. Its flowering combines well with the blue of Blue Cascade trailing rosemary and perennial flax.