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Breathless™ Euphorbias

Euphorbia hypericifolia (yoo-FOR-bee-uh hy-PER-ee-see-FOH-lee-uh)

Family: Euphorbiaceae Unknown Herbaceous (1-3 ft)

The Breathless™ Euphorbias are hybrid perennials or annuals in the spurge family (Euphorbiaceae) and are from the species graceful spurge. They grow quickly to 8 to 20 inches tall with a 20 to 24-inch spread with a compact mounding habit. Plant in full sun to partial shade in well-drained soil. They are quite drought and heat-tolerant once established and are resistant to browsing by deer and rabbits. These low-maintenance plants require no deadheading to enjoy a long bloom season. Pinch to encourage a bushy habit especially if they are grown in containers. This series of plants differs from the species by having dark green leaves that have an interesting flush of red. The flowers are quite tiny but the showy white or pink-flushed bracts surrounding them last for a long bloom season from spring until the first frost. Most euphorbias contain a milky sap in stems and leaves which can cause contact dermatitis for some. Wear gloves when handling these plants. Keep these plants out of the reach of pets or children. All parts of these plants are toxic if ingested. Plant these groundcovers to fill in around perennials and shrubs, in containers as a filler, in border fronts and in cottage or drought-tolerant gardens. Use in a fairy garden, plant in hanging baskets or use along a walkway. They can even be grown indoors as houseplants and will bloom all year if given enough light. Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No significant problems. VIDEO Created by Laura Barth for "Houseplants, Succulents, and Cacti," a plant identification course offered in partnership with Longwood Gardens. More information on Euphorbia hypericifolia .

Source: NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox ↗ NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox, 52 attributes.

How it fits the guild

Guild layer 4 - Herbaceous (1-3 ft)
See companions & conflicts ↓

Companions & Conflicts

Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.

No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.

Also noted by NC State

Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.

Fills a similar niche Euphorbia hypericifolia Diamond Frost® 'Inneuphdia' Lantana camara Tradescantia

Full plant profile

Growing Conditions
Plant type
Annual; Poisonous
Life cycle
Annual; Perennial
USDA zones
10a, 10b, 11a, 11b
Light
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day) | Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Soil texture
Clay; Loam (Silt); Sand
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Moist | Occasionally Dry
Available space
12 inches-3 feet; 3 feet-6 feet
Mature size
Height: 0 ft. 8 in. - 1 ft. 8 in. | Width: 1 ft. 8 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
Growth rate
Rapid
Maintenance
Low
Canopy layer
4 - Herbaceous (1-3 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Mounding
Texture
Fine
Leaf color
Green; Red/Burgundy; Variegated
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf arrangement
Opposite
Leaf shape
Elliptical; Oblong
Leaf margin
Entire
Leaf value
Showy
Leaf size
1-3 inches long, < 1 inch wide
Hairs present
Yes
Leaf detail
Dark green leaves with red flush. Leaves opposite, simple, hairy margins, blade elliptical-oblong to oblong, up to 1.5 inches long,
Flower color
Pink; White
Flower value
Long Bloom Season
Flower shape
Radial
Flower detail
Pink or white showy bracts surround the tiny flowers. The flowers are infertile so this encourages continual blooming until frost.
Bloom time
Fall; Spring; Summer
Fruit detail
No seeds are produced, infertile
Stem color
Green
Stem detail
Stems have a milky sap
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Unknown
Landscape Use
Landscape location
Container; Hanging Baskets; Houseplants; Patio; Walkways
Landscape theme
Cottage Garden
Design feature
Border
Garden tags
#long bloom time #showy flowers #red leaves #low maintenance #drought tolerant #fall flowers #summer flowers #interesting leaves #spring flowers #interiorscape #cottage garden #houseplant #heat tolerant #rabbit resistant #delicate #drought tolerant annual #border front #container plant #deer resistant #burgundy leaves #hanging baskets #problem for children #problem for dogs #poisonous #problem for cats #walkway #contact dermatitis
Problems & Resistance
Problems
Contact Dermatitis; Poisonous to Humans; Problem for Cats; Problem for Children; Problem for Dogs
Resistant to
Deer; Drought; Heat; Rabbits
Poison severity
Low
Poison parts
Flowers; Fruits; Leaves; Roots; Sap/Juice; Stems
Poison symptoms
The milky white latex sap found in all plant parts can cause mild to severe contact dermatitis. If contact with the eyes occurs the sap can cause temporary to permanent damage to the cornea. If eaten, blistering can occur on lips and oral mucosa. Avoid ingesting plant parts and keep plants away from pets and children.
Toxic principle
Diterpene esters in milky latex
Contact dermatitis
No
Toxicity summary
Low severity poison; parts: Flowers; Fruits; Leaves; Roots; Sap/Juice; Stems

Planted at Hunnicutt

Nobody’s planted this one yet.