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Euphorbia genius has over 2,000 species, a few of which we carry at the nursery.
The "flower" is actually a cyathium, with showy bracts that are mostly chartreuse in color. Within these cups are the tiny true flowers. |
Euphorbia are easy to grow, but the best part is they are extremely pest resistant - including gophers and deer! All are fairly drought resistant and take full sun or filtered, light shade. Self Seeds.
Look for these varieties at Star Gardens:
Euphorbia characias wulfenii - Mediterranean native, evergreen perennial. Grows 4' tall and wide with showy bracts lasting for months starting in February and March.
Euphorbia x martini - This cross species takes the best attributes of characias (above) and amygdaloides (below) and grows 2 - 3' tall and wide with purple highlights.
Euphorbia amygdaloides 'Purpurea' - Smaller growing, this chartreuse variety has purple tinged foliage.
Euphorbia myrsinites - Very low grower that looks like a succulent. Use in a sunny rock garden. Very different.
Over the season we carry a wide variety of Euphorbia, some of these include: Tiger, Blackbird, Silver Swan, Helena's Blush, Despina, and Humpty Dumpty.
March Gardening
Bare root season is winding down as we start to put trees and roses into containers. If you hurry into Star Gardens, you can still find bare roots ready to plant now!
If you have not started your cool season vegetable garden, it is not too late for broccoli, cabbage (and other Brassica family plants), peas, carrots, lettuce, onions, radish, potatoes, and more. These vegetables like the cool weather and you can not grow them here in the summer time. We have a great selection of spring starts, including strawberries, chard, brocolli, cabbage and a full selection of herbs available at the nursery.
Now is the time to start your tomatoes and peppers indoors, if you plant them from seed. 2009 flower and vegetable seeds are in stock now!
Look for spring bulbs for summer bloom like cannas, lilies, gladiolus, dahlias, and tuberose. Plant now through May.
Plan on dormant spraying your roses and fruit trees or any other ornamental you had an infestation on last year. Use oil for insects and copper or sulfate for fungus, both available at the nursery. You need a window of 24 - 36 hours of no rain for it to be effective. Spray one more time for peach leaf curl on or before 2/3rds petal drop. I have been told this is the most effective time period, as insects are in the process of bringing this deforming (but not fatal) disease to your tree.
Tanya's Tips
Water and Weeds: Mulch, Mulch, Mulch
Weeds are probably a big concern for you now. You can weed by hand or use other methods. I personally use Remuda, it is the exact same thing as Round-Up but half the price. We carry this at the nursery. We also have a natural fatty acid spray that knocks weeds back or you can use a straight 5% vinegar from the store. These methods are more effective on young weed sprouts, not established weeds. Burning with a torch is also effective.
After you have tackled your weeds, laying down a thick layer of mulch (at least 2 inches or more), will not only keep those weeds at bay but reduce your watering needs this summer. You can buy mulch at the nursery by the bag. You can also buy it by the yard from Ellis Ranch, Layne Paving, or Quakenbush, depending on what you are using. I am not adverse to using straw either.
Monthly Specials
Plant of the Month
Euphorbia - $2 off Gallons - $1 off 4" inch
GreenAll FIRMULCH 2 cu. Ft.
GreenAll Organic Potting Soil 2 cu. Ft.
Buy 3 bags and get 1 bag FREE!
GreenAll FIRMULCH - Conditions the soil for more moisture retention or use mulch as top dressing to keep weeds down and slow evaporation.
GreenAll Organic Potting Soil - An all purpose ready-to-use potting soil for all indoor and outdoor container plantings.
Hope you enjoyed our first newsletter! Remember, you can always stop by the nursery to ask us questions or feel free to call or email us anytime.
Happy Gardening,
Tanya
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