{"product_id":"euphorbia-mellifera","title":"Euphorbia mellifera (Honey Spurge)","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe \u003cstrong\u003eEuphorbia mellifera\u003c\/strong\u003e, better known as the \u003cstrong\u003eHoney Spurge\u003c\/strong\u003e or \u003cstrong\u003eCanary Spurge\u003c\/strong\u003e, is one of the most handsome architectural evergreens you can grow. Native to Madeira and the Canary Islands, it forms a rounded, sculptural dome of long, dark green leaves, each marked with a pale central midrib. In late spring the whole plant is topped with domed clusters of brown and amber flowers that release an extraordinary honey scent, filling the garden with fragrance and drawing in bees and other pollinators. It is a sun loving, coastal shrub that brings real presence to an \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/exotic-border-plants\"\u003eexotic border\u003c\/a\u003e or gravel garden.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eGrown for structure as much as scent, Honey Spurge sits naturally alongside palms, tree ferns and other \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/hardy-exotics\"\u003ehardy exotics\u003c\/a\u003e, its evergreen dome holding its shape right through the year. It is borderline hardy in the UK, and the key to success is understanding what actually threatens it. Cold on its own is rarely the problem. The trouble starts when that cold arrives alongside wet, as waterlogged winter soil will rot the roots long before frost does. Give it a warm, sheltered position with sharp drainage and it will sail through most British winters.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eHow and where to grow\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePosition:\u003c\/strong\u003e full sun for a dense, compact dome, or light partial shade for a taller, looser habit. Shelter from cold, drying winds.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSoil:\u003c\/strong\u003e light and free-draining is essential. Chalk, sand or loam across any pH, but avoid heavy, wet ground.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSize:\u003c\/strong\u003e a bushy 1.5 to 2.5 m in height and spread, reaching full size in around five to ten years.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHardiness:\u003c\/strong\u003e roughly RHS H3 to H4, hardy to about -5 to -10C once established. Keep the crown dry and protect young plants in hard frost.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cp\u003eWater regularly through the first couple of summers to establish a strong root system, after which Euphorbia mellifera becomes impressively \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/drought-tolerant-plants\"\u003edrought tolerant\u003c\/a\u003e. Its love of sharp drainage and warmth makes it a natural choice for \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/coastal-plants\"\u003ecoastal and exposed gardens\u003c\/a\u003e, and its honey-scented spring flowers earn it a place in any planting \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/plants-for-pollinators\"\u003efor pollinators\u003c\/a\u003e. In colder or wetter gardens it grows happily in a large container of gritty compost that can be moved to shelter for winter. For a fuller picture of how hardy exotics behave through the seasons, see our guide on \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/hardy-exotics-what-to-expect\"\u003ewhat to expect\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePlease note:\u003c\/strong\u003e like all euphorbias, the milky white sap is a skin and eye irritant and is harmful if eaten, so wear gloves when pruning and keep cuttings away from children and pets.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eEvery \u003cstrong\u003eEuphorbia mellifera\u003c\/strong\u003e we supply is nursery-grown, chosen for a healthy, well-branched shape and a strong root system, and packed with care to arrive in superb condition.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"GROW TROPICALS","offers":[{"title":"19cm \/ 3L","offer_id":57976145674623,"sku":"EUPHMELL19","price":19.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0361\/9645\/0348\/files\/iStock-2274452707.jpg?v=1784324997","url":"https:\/\/growtropicals.com\/products\/euphorbia-mellifera","provider":"GrowTropicals","version":"1.0","type":"link"}