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Euphorbia - do I need to do anything yet?

ren.bren.b Posts: 164
Hi
I planted this last year

This is what it looks like today - it's ENORMOUS - do I need to do anything?



Posts

  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    No  :)
    You can cut off the bracts when they're finished, if you want. Just be careful of the sap as it's an irritant. I usually work back to front with mine, and hold them by the top, but you can wear gloves to avoid it getting on your skin. 
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • ren.bren.b Posts: 164
    Fairygirl - what is a bract? thanks for the warning about the sap. <3
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    The 'flowering' heads.
    The flowers are actually inside those outer green 'shells' - the little tiny red ones in your plants. They vary according to the variety.  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • ren.bren.b Posts: 164
    ohhh - it's a weird looking plant isn't it?
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    They are! Very useful colour for spring though, especially if combined with other suitable plants.  :)
    Good plants for awkward shady spots too, where it can be tricky to get things to thrive.
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • PlantmindedPlantminded Posts: 3,580
    To prune that variety of Euphorbia (E. Rudolph), you need to remove the flowered stems right back to ground level.  Each stem is biennial - some flower one year, the rest the next.  If you look carefully at the base of the plant you should see next year's flowering stems appearing - try not to damage these when you cut the flowered stems off.  Personally, I wouldn't prune it just yet as the flowers still look good - I'd wait until they start to fade and turn brown.  Looks like a nice, healthy plant!
    Wirral. Sandy, free draining soil.


  • bertrand-mabelbertrand-mabel Posts: 2,697
    Much as we love them if we don't cut back the old flowering stems we then have them seeding all over the garden. Just need to keep on top of them to keep them where you want them and check for seedlings next year where you don't.
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