Euphorbia hybrida Medea - Spurge

The Euphorbia x Medea is a small hybrid euphorbia variety, cultivated as a biennial for balcony or flower bed decoration. Its neat and bushy appearance, decorative foliage throughout the seasons, and spring flowering in a bright apple green colour enhance all the nearby plants. It is a hardy and easy-to-grow plant.

Euphorbias are numerous and diverse in their characteristics. Their common feature: always decorative foliage and flowering. Their upright stems originate from the base and form a bushy clump. They branch out, particularly for this hybrid variety 'Medea', which rarely exceeds 20 cm (8in) in height. They are covered with lanceolate leaves of light green colour. The young shoots turn red due to the cold. The flowering occurs in spring, usually in April. The flowers are grouped in cymes and surrounded by numerous small cyathia, decorative bracts (this name is mainly attributed to Euphorbias). Do not hesitate to observe them closely, they are very subtle.

Small-sized Euphorbias are excellent plants for flower beds, as they go well with numerous perennial or shrubby plants. They are less known as subjects for flowering pots, where they excel. Their long-lasting foliage and brightly colored flowers harmonize perfectly, for example, with colorful heucheras, sedges, catmints, or coreopsis.

The only downside is that these plants have a sap that is made up of irritating and toxic latex. Always remember to handle them with gloves, keep an eye on children playing nearby, and warn them.