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In a muddle about Euphorbia Mellifera

NollieNollie Posts: 7,529
in Plants
I bought this plant as a centrepiece for a new ‘oranges and lemons’ shrub border next to my new patio, pictured below, attracted by its honey scent. Now I wonder if it’s going to get too big for the 160cm diameter space I have. I initially read (think it was Beth Chatto) that it’s spread was 150cm but having checked, other sites say 250cm, which would be far too large and overwhelm the other plants. If it does get out of control, is it easy enough to keep in check with pruning or would I be planting a monster?

The other plants are roses Charles Darwin, to the left, Golden Celebration and a trio of Lady Emma Hamilton to the right and a Cytisus Lena in front.

The alternative I have to hand is a Pittosporum Tenuifolium Atropurpurea - originally bought for another border, but would perhaps set off the yellows and oranges of this one...

Hmm, which one to go for? Or neither?!


Mountainous Northern Catalunya, Spain. Hot summers, cold winters.

Posts

  • [Deleted User][Deleted User] Posts: 0
    edited May 2018
    The user and all related content has been deleted.
  • NollieNollie Posts: 7,529
    Thanks Freddie’s Dad - er, when did we get married by the way? I definitely don’t remember giving birth to Freddie either ;)

    I am happy for it to grow tall, it’s at the back, just worried about its spread, but if you think I can keep that under control...


    Mountainous Northern Catalunya, Spain. Hot summers, cold winters.
  • josusa47josusa47 Posts: 3,530
    With a two metre wife, who needs a wheelbarrow?
  • [Deleted User][Deleted User] Posts: 0
    The user and all related content has been deleted.
  • NollieNollie Posts: 7,529
    Doing more chortling than thinking at the moment  :D that was a fast edit!

    Ooh, that’s a weird looking one FD, tho having already got too many plants for spaces available, I think I need to decide between the Mellifera and the Pittosporum Tenuifolium Atropurpureum.

    Anyway, time to go and do some actual gardening!


    Mountainous Northern Catalunya, Spain. Hot summers, cold winters.
  • autumngloryautumnglory Posts: 255
    Nothing useful to add but I like the sound of an oranges and lemons border!

    Freddies dad I've never seen a tom thumb like that before, I've only ever seen them grown as dense mounds!

  • NollieNollie Posts: 7,529
    It’s a concession to my OH who loves yellow, @autumglory, on the basis I don’t have to have it in from my hot border of purples, reds and oranges and have the odd dahlia (OH hates dahlias). Life is all about compromise  :)

    I am still swithering about whether the E. mellifera will get too wide for that space, but maybe I’ll just plant it and see how it goes - I suppose I can always move it somewhere else if it does.
    Mountainous Northern Catalunya, Spain. Hot summers, cold winters.
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