Martin’s spurge makes a real impression as a gorgeous, light green foliage plant. This dark, evergreen sub-shrub explodes into dense, chartreuse flowers that may be accentuated with purple eyes. Although it only grows between 1 and 2 ft in height, first-time growers love how easy it is to care for and its resistance to disease.
I. Appearance and CharacteristicsÂ
Euphorbia × martini, or Martin’s spurge, is a hybrid between two species of flowering plant, E. amygdaloides × E. characias subsp. characias in the spurge family Euphorbiaceae. It was found growing wild in southern France. Growing to 60 cm (24 in) tall and broad, it is a dwarf evergreen subshrub with narrow gray-green leaves and in late spring and early summer, sprays of lime green flowers, often with a red or maroon eye. It is useful as a spreading, weed-smothering ground cover. Though hardy down to −15 °C (5 °F), it is a Mediterranean plant best grown in a sheltered spot in well-drained soil in full sun.
All parts of the plant are toxic if eaten, moreover euphorbias produce an irritant milky sap when cut or broken.
Numerous cultivars have been developed for garden use, of which the following have gained the Royal Horticultural Society’s Award of Garden Merit:-
- ’Ascot Rainbow’
- ‘Helen Robinson’
II. How to Grow and Care
Martin’s spurge is a resilient, easy-to-care-for plant known for its drought tolerance and adaptability to a range of soil types. Special care points include ensuring well-drained soil to prevent root rot and providing full to partial sunlight for optimal growth. Regular pruning can help maintain its shape and promote healthy growth, but be cautious of the sap, which can irritate skin.
Sunlight
Spurges naturally grow in places that have plenty of sunlight, but some species can tolerate partial shade (e. g., Euphorbia amygdaloides var. robbiae). Full sun provides the best environment for spurges. If they are grown indoors, spurges need at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight every day for proper development.
Temperature
Genus Euphorbia is very large and diverse, so its different species can be found in various habitats, but the majority are well-adapted to a temperature range of -29 to 4 ℃. Many spurges, in spite of having succulent leaves, cannot handle long periods without moisture and need to be watered weekly during hot summer days. Some cactus-like species are well adapted to high temperatures and prolonged dry periods, but most species used for landscaping and decorative gardening require more moisture for proper development.
Watering
Originating from a Mediterranean climate, martin’s spurge is adapted to periods of dryness, displaying moderate drought tolerance. Its native environment informs its preference for well-drained soil and occasional moisture, aligning with a watering schedule of once every 1-2 weeks. As an outdoor plant often found in rock gardens or as border foliage, martin’s spurge thrives when its water needs mimic the natural cycles of dry and wet seasons, enhancing its resilience. Particularly during the growing season, ensuring that martin’s spurge’s soil moisture reflects its Mediterranean roots will promote optimal health and vitality.
Soil
Spurges aren’t picky when it comes to soil type. They can grow in a variety of soils. Some species of Euphorbia can even thrive in nutrient-poor soils, requiring only that the soil be well drained. If the soil is full of moisture and is prone to water retention, it will most likely cause root rot.
Fertilizing
Martin’s spurge doesn’t require large amounts of fertilizer for normal growth and development. In fact, very little fertilizer is required. As mentioned earlier, some species can thrive even in very poor soils, as long as those soils are well drained. Fertilizer should only be applied when the plants start showing nutrient deficiency symptoms on lower leaves. When the lower leaves turn yellow, it is time to add half-strength liquid fertilizer to the soil. That will keep the plant well fed for several months.
Planting Instructions
Dig a hole twice as wide as the plant’s root ball before planting. Then, turn the container with martin’s spurge upside down and let the plant slowly fall into your hands. Place the plant upright in the hole and slowly fill in around the roots with loose and fertile potting mixture, adjusting the planting depth until it is just right. Water it once. Do not overwater, as standing water is not good for the plant.
Propagation
Martin’s spurge can be successfully grown from seeds, but the seeds are rarely commercially available because they are difficult to germinate and stay viable only for a short period of time. Martin’s spurge is most commonly propagated via cuttings.
It is important to wear gloves while working with martin’s spurge cuttings and to clean the pruning shears thoroughly after pruning, so that any unwanted contact with the sap is avoided. Before planting, it is necessary to leave the cuttings to dry for 2-3 days. This will prevent rot from developing and enable proper formation of the callus tissue. It is advised to plant the cuttings in a soilless medium, such as peat moss, because it provides an optimal environment for proper root development.
Cuttings should be misted regularly, and the pots in which they are planted need to be wrapped in either foil or a plastic bag to preserve moisture. The bag or foil needs to be removed for two hours each day to provide sufficient air and to prevent excess moisture in the medium. If this step is skipped, molds and rots can easily develop and damage the health of the young, sensitive cuttings. When the cuttings develop a root system, they are ready to be transplanted into soil.
III. Uses and BenefitsÂ
Martin’s spurge is perfect addition to beds and borders, for Mediterranean gardens.Â
IV. Harvesting and Storage
Some species of Euphorbia can be cut for fresh flowers or foliage, such as snow-on-the-mountain (Euphorbia marginata), Euphorbia fulgens and Euphorbiaformosana. When harvesting cuttings, remember to wear gloves, as the sap can be irritating to the skin. It can be cut from the base of the stem. Soak the end of the cutting in hot water for 10 seconds to stop the milky sap from oozing. The vase life for the cutting will be about 5-7 days, and some flower food can extend its life.
When the fruits of Euphorbia plants are ripe, they burst and scatter the seeds over a large surface area. In order to harvest all the seeds, the individual fruits or the entire plant must be wrapped in nylon, gauze, or similar material before the ripe fruit bursts and releases the seeds.
