Planting and caring for perennial garden spurge, propagation and cultivation

The Euphorbiaceae family has more than 1,500 species. It includes perennial and annual herbs, small trees and shrubs. Garden spurge 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 plant's ability to secrete milky sap.

Benefits of using garden milkweed in landscape design

Varieties of garden milkweed allow it to be used in design compositions:

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

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

Varieties and description of milkweed

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

Each variety of garden milkweed has specific traits, but researchers also identify several common characteristics:

1. Honey-bearing plants. Thanks to the long flowering period, bees collect good quality honey.
2. Plants of the family form branched vessels through which milky sap flows.
3. The seeds of milkweed varieties are collected in boxes.

Bordered

This annual variety is especially common due to its ability to bloom from June until the first frost in the fall. The appearance of the bushes explains its name. The dark green leaf plates are bordered by 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. Shoots become noticeable 10 days after sowing.

myrtifolia

A perennial plant that is often used to decorate artificial ponds. Many landscape designers take it as a basis in compositions of rocky or alpine hills.

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

Almond-shaped

Almond spurge is known for its beautiful flowers, collected in complex inflorescences. They have a soft green tint, unusual for flowers. 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 pine needles. The stems are crowned with lush spherical yellow flowers. This variety blooms twice per season. It is resistant to drought and can tolerate frosts down to -20 degrees.

Capitate

The variety belongs to the type of ground cover. The maximum length of the bush is 10 centimeters. Blooms with bright orange, yellow or red flowers. It is capable of growing quickly and completely displacing other plants from the territory. Usually it is planted where it is necessary to decorate areas of land. The variety is resistant to drought and also exhibits frost-resistant qualities.

Multifloral

One of the most popular types. It is a perennial and resistant to frost and drought. It is grown in the northern regions and does not require 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 foliage of Euphorbia multiflora changes in hue from deep green to lemon yellow. This creates a feeling of updating the flowerbed without any additional effort.

How does culture reproduce?

For gardeners who grow 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 independently. The small black seeds ripen completely a few weeks after the last flowering.

Seeds are sown in the fall for wintering in the ground or in the spring. Planting material is subjected to stratification during spring sowing, and then buried into the soil no more than 3 centimeters.

Cuttings

This propagation method involves growing seedlings. It is considered one of the most effective and frequently used options. You can propagate by cuttings if you have 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 in areas of open ground, in the second, they are left for growing. As a rule, growing takes place on closed terraces, maintaining a temperature range from +15 to +20 degrees.

Dividing the bush

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

Technology of planting plants in open ground

Cultivation has some nuances related to the characteristics of the culture. The further growth of the plant depends on the choice of location and timely application of fertilizing.

Timing of planting work

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

Preparing the planting hole and soil mixture

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

• acidity indicator – from 6 to 7 ph;
• the presence of drainage (for this it is recommended to use crushed sphagnum moss);
• the structure should be light, saturated with air;
• shaded areas not exposed to direct sunlight.

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

Landing algorithm

Euphorbia is planted at different distances, depending on the variety.

Disembarkation stages:

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

Advice! To provide additional support for tall varieties, after planting the milkweed is tied to wooden supports.

Euphorbia care

When growing crops, it is necessary to monitor the growth of the root system.Some varieties require constant replanting to provide mature plants with room to grow.

Irrigation

Consistent watering is important for milkweed. This is especially true during the first weeks after planting. Plants are watered 1 or 2 times weekly. When dry periods occur, watering is increased. The top layer of soil should be slightly moist, but the roots should not be over-watered. Due to waterlogging of the root system, the process of rotting may develop.

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

Fertilizer application

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

Optimal temperature and humidity

Plants require different temperatures for different stages of growth:

• for the period of active growth of milkweed, a temperature of +15 to +25 degrees is sufficient;
• 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 species, so they do not require excessive moisture. The root system quickly rots if moisture accumulates in the soil.

Trimming

Euphorbia is prone to overgrowth, so pruning is done as needed. To maintain the compactness of the bushes, faded parts are promptly removed, and the apical and lateral shoots are also pinched.

If milkweed remains in open ground areas in winter, it should be trimmed so that sprouts about 2 centimeters high are visible above the surface.

Pests and diseases: prevention and treatment

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

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

Nematodes and scale insects pose a particular danger to the crop. The fight against them includes additional treatment of bushes with chemicals or soap solutions prepared independently.

Preparing for winter

Preparations begin in the fall. Low-growing bushes are cut to 2 centimeters. Prepared plants are sprinkled with coniferous branches or cut foliage if necessary. Tall bushes can be covered with industrial materials. Frost-resistant varieties do not need additional shelter.