Euphorbia griffithii fireglow
The Euphorbia griffithii fireglow is a very striking herbaceous perennial.
Euphorbia griffithii fireglow
Performance in our garden
I have become aware that some of my more recent plant profiles suggest that Cheshire, compared to Aberdeen, has more favourable growing conditions.
It may well be true with some of the garden plants which we have grown, however, generally speaking, what grows South of the border also grows North. Perhaps a couple of weeks later coming into bloom in the North.
As for Euphorbia griffithii fireglow, well in Aberdeen it looked terrific, in spite of running through the border and popping up here and there where sometimes it was unwelcome.
The plant did remain in our back garden for a number of years, I became ruthless in my attempts to keep it under control, however, it is a very handsome plant.
Plant profile
Euphorbia griffithii fireglow is a Summer flowering hardy perennial with narrow green leaves edged with a reddish tinge. The single orange flowers are very eye catching.
Flowers open in June and continue into early Autumn with the blooms then turning a shade of pale yellow.
This plant has fast spreading rhizomes which lie just under the surface of the soil. Buds can be seen protruding from the rhizomes in Spring. It is essential that you develop your own method of keeping this perennial under control or you will rue the day.
In spite of not wishing to be negative any further regarding this Euphorbia it is essential to mention that the milky white sap which oozes from the flower stems if cut or snapped is a serious irritant to the skin and eyes.
Well, surprise, surprise, I rather like this perennial, of course, I am a total plantaholic.
Hardiness – fully hardy
Height – up to 90cm/3ft
Position – will grow anywhere except the very deepest of shade
Common name – spurge
Flowering – between May and August
Soil – any well-drained soil, acid, alkaline, neutral
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Bucket invasion
Still a few houses under construction on our site, all due to be completed by the end of the year.
I had been talking to one of the builders telling him there was not enough gravel down on a utility area at the back of the house. I asked if he could get me a reasonable quantity and I would spread it myself. No problem he said, I will get you a couple of buckets full and leave it on your patio. I did think –couple of buckets, I will need more than that, seems like his buckets differ from mine.
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Sunday stroll
The garden is taking shape, I will show some pictures in my next post.
Meantime, on Sunday morning we awoke to a lovely morning. Feeling pretty much up to date with all my chores etc, I decided to do a bit of exploring. Walking is one of my pastimes since stopping driving.
Taking only 15minutes from our house, these are a few pictures of the coastal village (West Wemyss) (pronounced (weems)._
Thank you David, Fireglow is a plant that stands out.
Hi Alistair,
The last time I looked at your Blog you were starting to get your Garden in Cheshire sorted.
I notice you have moved again and wish you and your Wife well in your new Home .
We have the Fireglow Euphorbia in our Garden and I really like it as it’s such a lovely Colour .I’m looking forward to seeing how your new Garden takes shape ,good luck.
It is very pleasant here Indie, and yes that was quite some bucket.
So nice ,thanks for your sharing.
The village looks like such a nice and peaceful place for a stroll. Ha, I love the builder’s version of ‘bucket’! The Euphorbia is a very striking one with that beautiful red color! Can’t wait to see how the garden progresses!
Hi Deb, there are so many euphorbias, I will have to introduce at least one to the new garden. Yes, that is what you call a bucket.
Hello Pam, Yes the coast is just a 15 minute walk. Apparently there is a shortcut which takes you to the Castle Wemyss. I will need to get some directions otherwise the Laird may well shoot me if I trespass by accident.
There are so many different euphorbias and I don’t have any. Your Euphorbia griffithii fireglow is lovely, so I must research ones that tolerate our harsh winters. I didn’t realize your village is so close to the ocean. What a charming place, Alistair. I look forward to seeing photographs of your garden as it progresses. P. x
Now that is a bucket! I discovered euphorbia a couple years ago. I am growing one with wonderful feathery foliage, and I have notice its spreading habit. I will watch it carefully. Yours is lovely! Also, love, love that lovely coastal village. Lucky you!
So, you moved from Linconshire up to Caithness. I spotted one of those Palms in our village here in Fife, a rather mature specimen which has apparently been in the situation for a number of years. I honestly think you should have your one in a pot, you would be so annoyed if you lost it.
I’ve never seen that Euphorbia but I will definitely be attempting to source some, it’s bloomin lovely.
I live in the very far north of scotland slap bang next to the east coast and I agree with your comment that most of what we grew down south (Lincolnshire) can be grown here (Caithness) it just takes a tad longer to bloom.
It wasn’t always the case though, my garden is exposed and I cannot tell you how many temper tantrums I had at the loss of my plants before I finally admitted I need some wind break lol.
I’m even going to try a Chusan Palm outside this year – gulp! I want to put it in the ground but I suspect I will wimp out and keep it in a pot lol.
One thing I do struggle to grow here though are Roses – my favourite plant. I don’t know why but they just don’t take well 🙁
i’m off to look at your A-Z of plants again now.
Thanks Linda, the images of that pit bull will stay with me.
What a beautiful village, Alistair! And your photos are gorgeous! I feel as though I took this lovely tour myself. Thank you so much for sharing! And thanks so much for your comment on my blog post, I am so glad that you see Pitbulls in a different light. They are lovely dogs with the right owners.
Yes, good to be home Nadezda.
Thanks Diana, I have noted it down
It is engrossing, but quite intense.
http://hannahkentauthor.com/burial-rites/
Alistair, I see you’re glad to be back and your photos of the village are beautiful, in particular I liked the sea view.
I had Euphorbia altaica, that was very hardy, The Euphorbia-griffithii is prettier than mine one, I’ve read about and noticed it is up to -23 C. Perhaps I should find it for my garden as well.
Wait for your house and village photos.
Yes chilly winds from the north sea. Novel set in Iceland, I need to check this out. I read a lot of novels, usually detective or Stephen King sort of stuff. At the moment I am well into a classic (Grapes of Wrath) absolutely fantastic.
Ah, sort of the North Sea. Chilly!
But not compared the novel I’ve just read, set in Iceland.
Also a euphorbia fan.
I have mauretanica which will be a LARGE lime green shrub.
And firesticks which is, coming on, slowly.
I’ll need a map to tell me where Fife is and what sea I am looking at.
The little village looks peaceful.
Keeping very busy Helene, all is taking shape, perhaps not at my usual high speed.
Hello Alistair, I haven’t been here for a while – I hope you are busy making your new garden, looking forward to seeing photos of your progress. I must admit I am not a fan of euphorbias, the only exception is for those with exceptional colours and ‘Fireglow’ is one of them, it is on my wish list. I think it would do well in my Woodland Bed in dappled sun.
Wishing you good luck with your new garden 🙂
Hi Sunil, I am in the process of ordering compost, I will take great care.
Hello Alistair, that’s hilarious about the “buckets”, meaning a large hopper/scoop on a JCB. I have a similar thing with “bags” of compost or manure, where they’re not the 60 litre bags from the garden centre, but tonne bulk bags that have to be delivered by crane!
There are some hardy souls who will swim in the sea in an unusually hot day in July or August.
What an attractive peaceful looking village. I love that it’s so near the water, although I imagine it’ll be too cold to swim? I’m not familiar with that particular Euphorbia but I have a few other ones and am very fond of them, although from time to time I get that white sap on my arm and it gets sore and red for a bit. Luckily I’ve never got it in my eyes. Looking forward to seeing your new garden.
Thanks for dropping by Ellen.
Alistair, the village looks absolutely gorgeous! I hope you will be very happy back up in Scotland. I did not realise you have moved back. I am looking forward to hearing about your new garden set up and about the plants you will be putting in. all the best. Ellen.