Euphorbia Diamond Frost

The Euphorbia or Chamesyce hypericifolia 'Diamond Frost' is a frost-sensitive plant grown as an annual in our climate, and has become essential in summer compositions in just a few years. Discreet in spring, it quickly shoots up and branches out, producing a multitude of small white flowers that resemble suspended snow crystals or a cloud of small white butterflies. It blooms tirelessly throughout the summer, regardless of the weather conditions, in both sun and shade. Place it everywhere, in your pots, planters, hanging baskets, or in the ground, combined with all your favourite plants. It weaves and adapts to the shape of its neighbours, enhancing their blooming.

The genus Euphorbia includes over 2000 species of annuals, perennials, shrubs, and succulents. Their diversity is astonishing, as is the structure of their flowers, which allows for easy recognition. In Euphorbias, the flower is composed of a stigma and a stamen, surrounded by often highly decorative bracts. All Euphorbias contain a milky sap or irritating latex in their tissues, which is easily visible when the stems are cut.

'Diamond Frost' Euphorbia is a horticultural hybrid obtained in Germany by the KIENTZLER company, notably from Euphorbia hypericifolia (or Chamesyce hypericifolia), a very frost-sensitive species native to Colombian forests. The plant grows rapidly in spring, as soon as the temperature exceeds 14°C. It produces slender stems that branch out endlessly, forming a rounded clump that can reach 70-80 cm (27.6-31.5 in) in all directions in just a few weeks. The stems bear entire, elongated leaves, 2.5 cm (1 in) long and a tender green colour. This variety blooms abundantly and continuously from mid-April until the first frost. The countless flowers, adorned with immaculate white bracts, are very small and incredibly light. The faded flowers fall off by themselves.

The low hardiness (-1°C) of this plant is not a drawback: it is entirely possible to overwinter it in a bright and lightly heated veranda, significantly reducing watering (2 to 3 times per month) to allow it to rest. Before bringing it back outside in spring, lightly prune it. Repot or provide slow-release fertilizer and resume watering. This variety will thrive when planted in a large pot of at least 10 litres, or in the ground.

Plant Diamond Frost Euphorbia in large flower pots, alongside Calibrachoa or petunias, geraniums, Peruvian heliotrope, begonias, or Russelia, for example. With this cloud-like plant, all fantasies are allowed, in the garden as well as on the terrace or balcony. It brings volume and lightness to all summer compositions and flower beds. Its combination with shrubby salvias, bush or ground-cover roses, or even hydrangeas is fantastic. Plant it en masse in front of a flowering or foliage shrub hedge, between the stones of a rockery, in a mixed border with Miscanthus, monardas, penstemons, asters... At the base of small columns marking a path or terrace... Or even in a large planter in a contemporary garden.

Note: Attention, our young plants in mini-pots are professional products reserved for experienced gardeners: upon receipt, transplant and store them under shelter (veranda, greenhouse, cold frame...) at a temperature above 14°C for a few weeks before being planted outdoors once all risk of frost has passed.