Martin’s Spurge
Baby Charm
Euphorbia × martini
‘Baby Charm’
A compact and colourful shrubby spurges for the rock or gravel garden.
There are many good euphorbia cultivars bred from the wild hybrid Euphorbia x martinii. Two that have impressed me are:
Both are compact short-lived perennials with similar cultural requirements. The main difference is the lear colour, with Baby Charm having mainly blue-green foliage while that of Miner’s Merlot is a deep wine-red. Each has its own section below.
Euphorbia × martini
‘Baby Charm‘
Type: sub-shrub
Height: 40-50cm
Spread: 50-90cm
Location: open, sunny
Flowering: March-May
Soil: free-draining
#1. Euphorbia ‘Baby Charm’ ▲
This cultivar is a hardy, drought-tolerant spurge that — given space — forms a neat dome of evergreen foliage approximately 14-18in (35-45cm) high and a bit wider. In spring, colourful shoots open with dramatic yellow-green flower heads, which cover the plant. Drought tolerant, it’s a plant that is ideal in an open sunny position with free-drained soil.
Background
Euphorbia ×martini is a natural hybrid of the European wood spurge (Euphorbia amygdaloides) and Mediterranean spurge (Euphorbia characias), with typically green/blue-green foliage. The variety ‘Baby Charm’, however, is more compact and the young foliage is more colourful.
Location, Location, Location
To do well, ‘Baby Charm’ must have an open sunny spot without any tall plants close by (see photo above). It also needs a free-draining soil. In such locations in my garden it has done really well and lasted for over 5 years so far. Thinking it was an easy win, I tried it in several other spots, such as at the base of a fence (below), in the middle of a perennial bed, and at the foot of a sunny shrub rose — all of these were mistakes as it simply dies back on the side that is shaded, ruining its form. Furthermore, plants in my free-draining raised beds have stood the test of time, whereas those at ground level (in a clay-based loam) failed to thrive.
So, lesson learned: give it pride of place in an open sunny spot, and leave at least 2ft (60cm) around it from taller plants. Note: Low perennials/alpines at its feet are not a problem.
Growth
Like many spurges, these cultivars are short lived, but given ideal conditions they will remain beautiful for 5-6 years or more. Fortunately, they are quick growing, and can be planted very affordably from 9cm pots or large plug plants. I planted several 9cm plants in my raised-bed Mediterranean pond-garden a few years ago, and in two seasons they grew into substantial evergreen clumps — especially welcome in the winter garden.
Euphorbia ‘Baby Charm’ Gallery 1
Design Potential
FAVOURITE FEATURES
- Winter shape: When grown well, with plenty of space, these spurges form handsome evergreen mounds that add winter interest to the garden.
- New Shoots: The flowering shoots contain many colours and are interesting even before the flowers open. After flowering, the flower heads can take on additional interesting tones.
- Flowers: What appears to be the flowers are actually long-lasting lime-green bracts. The true flowers are hidden in the centre along with prominent bright red crescent-shaped structures.
- Insects: Euphorbias attract many pollinators, including bees and hover flys which collect their nectar. The two ladybirds above were probably hunting aphids. The red damselfly below, is resting on a spurge flower.
Euphorbia ‘Baby Charm’ GALLERY 2
Euphorbias can be very photogenic as they have many interesting botanical structures. Here are a few images I have captured of Euphorbia ‘Baby Charm’
Botanical Gallery ◀▶
Planting Ideas
Euphorbia ‘Baby Charm’ works well in a gravel or rock garden or in an alpine or mediterranean style garden. The architectural quality of its foliage suit it to being grown in front of old or new walls, or in a bed of pebbles alongside paths or a drive. It can be used towards the front of a traditional border, as long as taller plants do not crowd it.
Its bright lime-green flowers associate well with other chartreuse flowers such as Lady’s mantle and the young foliage of box plants. Likewise, spring purples and blues contrast nicely. Its evergreen foliage makes a good foil for other plants all year round, especially those with a blue or silvery colour.
Allium christophii and Geranium ‘Bill Wallis’ (May)
…alongside white snow-in-summer, pink thrift and purple Aubretia. (May)
Note the red tones coming into the Euphorbia flowers. Growing here between Rosa ‘Emily Bronte’ and Salvia ‘Caradonna’
The flowers of Euphorbia ‘Baby charm’ provide a good foil for deep purple flowers such as this Penstemon ‘Raven’
TOP: Silver-blue Perovskia, Silver Artemisia alba ‘canescens’, pink Sedum ‘Matrona’ BOTTOM: Euphorbia ‘Baby Charm’, Deep pink Sedum ‘Vera James’ mauve Tulbaghia (September)
Euphorbia ‘Baby Charm’ sometimes puts out some late flowers. PurpleCampanula portenschlagiana is a suitable short perennial to grow to grow at its feet.
Cultivar #2
Euphorbia x martinii ‘Miner’s Merlot’ (Sep)
With pink sedum ‘Plum Dazzled’ and mauve Aster ‘Monch’
#2 Euphorbia ‘Miner’s Merlot’ ▲
Like ‘Baby Charm’, this cultivar is hardy and drought-tolerant and can form neat domes of foliage.
This cultivar stands apart with its wine-purple stems and leaves, that at various times are more bluish or reddish, depending on the age of the plant, the time of year, and whether it is front or backlit.
Growth
Compared to Baby Charm, the leaves seem a bit less dense and the lower stems less well clothed than Baby Charm, but that might just be where my ‘Miner’s Merlot’ plants are younger than my ‘Baby Charm’.
E. Miner’s Merlot – Across the Year
– soon after planting (Nov)
…it is beginning to bulk up.
New flowering shoots on a young plant
Flowers take on red tinges
Flowers turn orange as they go over
Foliage is deep purple
The foliage contributes nicely to an autumn planting
Practical Tips
HOW TO GROW
Martin’s Spurge Cultivars
‘Baby Charm’ & ‘Miner’s Merlot’
POSITION
They must have an open sunny position to do well. Plants resent shading, so give them plenty of space to encourage the best shape. They detest waterlogged or excessively rich soils so dig in plenty of sharp sand. Drought-tolerant once established. The main stem is brittle, so plant out of wind.
MAINTENANCE
Cut back flowered stems close to their base in late summer or autumn, leaving new foliage shoots to replace them. Wear gloves when handling and avoid contact with the white latex which is irritant to skin and eyes. Cut back neighbouring plants before they encroach. Stake wind-rocked plants.
UP Next
So very useful, inormative, inspiring. Unable to express my enthusiasm und my gratitute in words. The WORLD’s best garden blog, ever!
Thank you so much Monica! I’ve been working on this article on and off for over a year. It took a big push over the last few weeks to get it finished, so I’m grateful for your appreciation.