Perennial garden spurge: planting and care, reproduction and cultivation with photo

The Euphorbia family has more than 1500 species. It includes perennial and annual herbs, small trees and shrubs. Euphorbia garden is a bright representative of the family. It is called street and is used to decorate garden beds and park areas. The name of the plant is based on the ability of the plant to secrete milky juice.

The benefits of using garden milkweed in landscape design

Varieties of garden milkweed allow you to use it in design compositions:

• low succulent varieties are suitable for decorating rock gardens;
• medium sized bushes planted along curb lines to limit or define space;
• many varieties are used to highlight recreation areas;
• undersized species are planted around tall trees, around coniferous shrubs.

Compositions using perennial milkweed help not only make the site more spectacular, but also delimit the space.

Variety and description of milkweed

The official botanical name for milkweed is euphorbia. The African continent is considered the homeland of the plant. Wild species still grow on the island of Madagascar.

Each of the garden euphorbia varieties has specific traits, but researchers also identify a few common characteristics:

1. Honey plants. Due to the long flowering period, the bees collect good quality honey.
2. In plants of the family, branched vessels form, through which milky juice flows.
3. Seeds of milkweed varieties are collected in boxes.

Bordered

This annual cultivar is particularly common due to its ability to bloom from June to the first frost in autumn. The appearance of the bushes explains its name. Leaf plates of a dark green shade are bordered with a white openwork line, which makes the plant unusual and elegant.

1. The flowers of the bordered variety are small, pale, collected in simple inflorescences.
2. The bush reaches 10-12 centimeters.
3. Rhizome: branched, with fine hairs.

The variety is easily propagated by seed. Seedlings become visible on the 10th day after sowing.

Myrtoleaf

Perennial plant, which is often used to decorate artificial ponds. Many landscape designers take it as a basis in the compositions of rocky or alpine slides.

The bush grows up to 25 centimeters. The flowers are bright yellow. The flowering period includes 2 stages: the first time myrtle leaves bloom in April, the second stage occurs in July. The bush is decorative due to thickened leaf plates, which are characteristic of succulents.

Almond-shaped

Almond Euphorbia is known for its beautiful flowers collected in complex inflorescences. They have an unusual for flowers, pale green hue. The bush grows up to 60 centimeters. This variety grows exclusively in the south, when temperatures drop to +10 degrees, the bushes freeze out.

Cypress

Perennial bushes stretch from 25 to 40 centimeters. The stems are covered with leaves that look like elongated coniferous needles. The stems are crowned with lush spherical yellow flowers. This variety blooms twice per season. Drought tolerant and can tolerate frosts down to -20 degrees.

Capital

The variety belongs to the type of ground covers. The maximum length of the bush is 10 centimeters. It blooms in bright orange, yellow or red flowers. Able to grow rapidly and completely displace other plants from the territory. Usually it is planted where it is necessary to decorate plots of land. The variety is resistant to drought, and also shows frost-resistant qualities.

Multicolor

One of the most popular types. Perennial, resistant to frost and drought. Grown in the northern regions, does not need additional shelter in winter.

The bushes reach 70 centimeters. With their help, designers create spectacular multi-level flower beds. Throughout the spring and summer, the shade of the foliage of Euphorbia multiflorum changes from rich green to lemon yellow. This creates a feeling of updating the flower bed without any additional effort.

How culture reproduces

For flower growers who breed milkweed, different methods are suitable. The choice depends on the goals pursued and the availability of planting material.

Seeds

Seeds of varieties are purchased in specialized stores or collected on their own. Black small seeds ripen fully a few weeks after the last flowering.

Seeds are sown in autumn for wintering in the ground or in spring. Planting material is stratified during spring sowing, and then buried in the soil no more than 3 centimeters.

Cutting

This breeding method involves growing seedlings. It is considered one of the most effective and commonly used options. You can propagate by cuttings in the presence of an adult full-fledged bush with intact stems and leaves.

Cuttings are cut in spring or autumn. In the first case, after rooting, they are planted on open ground, in the second, they are left for growing. As a rule, growing takes place on covered terraces, maintaining the temperature regime from +15 to +20 degrees.

Dividing the bush

This method is suitable for tall varieties with a developed root system. In spring or autumn, the plants are dug up, then the rhizomes are divided into 2 or more parts with a sharp knife. Bushes separated from the mother plant are planted in the traditional way. The division of the bushes allows you to fully preserve the varietal characteristics.

Technology for planting plants in open ground

Cultivation has some nuances associated with the characteristics of the culture. The further growth of the plant depends on the choice of a place and the timely application of top dressing.

Terms of landing operations

Spring planting is considered the best option. This is due to the natural growing season. If necessary, landings are made in the fall, but then they provide additional shelter for the winter.

Preparing the planting pit and soil mixture

The soil must be prepared in advance, it must meet several requirements:

• acidity index - from 6 to 7 ph;
• presence of drainage (for this it is recommended to use chopped sphagnum moss);
• structure should be light, airy;
• Shaded areas, not exposed to direct sunlight.

The composition of the soil should contain humus, sand and peat. Along with soddy soil, wood ash or brick chips are added to the soil. A hole for planting is dug out in a day and left to settle the earth. The depth should not exceed 8-10 centimeters.

Seating algorithm

Spurge is planted at different distances, it depends on the variety.

Medium-sized bushes	30 to 40 centimeters
Tall species	50 to 70 centimeters
To cover soil	5-8 centimeters

Steps of disembarkation:

1. A layer of drainage is placed at the bottom of the pit for planting, then a layer of compost.
2. The plant is placed vertically.
3. Fill with soil, lightly tamp.

Advice! To provide extra support for tall varieties, spurges are tied to wooden supports after planting.

Europe care

When growing a crop, it is necessary to monitor the growth of the root system. Some varieties need constant repotting to give mature plants room to grow.

Irrigation

Stable watering is important for Euphorbia. This is especially true during the first weeks after planting. Plants are watered 1 or 2 times, weekly. With the onset of dry periods, watering is increased. The topsoil should be slightly damp, but the roots should not be over-watered. Due to waterlogging of the root system, the process of decay may develop.

Important! Gardeners exclude watering with cold water. It leads to the development of fungal diseases.

Fertilization

One of the main dressings is applied at planting. Then, during the growing season, organic matter and mineral mixtures are added. A suitable option is top dressing with liquid solutions. In addition, the soil is covered with a layer of mulch.

Optimal temperature and humidity

Plants need different temperatures for different stages of growth:

• for a period of active growth milkweed enough temperature from +15 to +25 degrees;
• seed germination takes place at +26, +28 degrees;
• sleep phases can take place at +5, +10 degrees.

Frost-resistant varieties tolerate low temperatures. To avoid freezing, bushes of perennial varieties are additionally covered for the winter.

Most varieties are succulent, so they don't need excessive moisture. The root system quickly rots if moisture accumulates in the soil.

Cutting

Euphorbia is prone to growth, so pruning is carried out as needed. To keep the bushes compact, faded parts are removed in a timely manner, and pinch the apical and side shoots.

If spurge remains in open ground in winter, then it should be cut so that sprouts about 2 centimeters high can be seen above the surface.

Pests and diseases: prevention and treatment

Due to the peculiarity of the root system, the culture is prone to fungal diseases. Prevention of these conditions:

• loose substrate selection;
• control watering moderation;
• additional chemical treatments.

Nematodes and mealybugs are of particular danger to the culture. The fight against them includes additional treatment of bushes with chemicals or soap solutions prepared by yourself .

Preparing for winter

Preparation starts in autumn. Low-growing bushes are cut to 2 centimeters. Prepared plants are sprinkled with coniferous branches or mowed foliage if necessary.Tall bushes can be covered with industrial materials. Frost-resistant varieties do not need additional shelters.

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