GARDENER'S READING ROOM
Perennials

Red Noses in Winter

Santa has his favorite reindeer, and here at Sky we have a new favorite among the spurges, Euphorbia 'Rudolph'. A sport of Euphorbia martinii, no other Euphorbia commands the spotlight like this one, with its showy bright red bracts resting atop gray-green leaves during the winter. Red centered, yellow-green flowers follow in the spring, making it a unique ornamental choice for the fall and winter garden or containers.

Reindeer can be pretty high maintenance, requiring daily food and water and a once a year marathon trip with a fully loaded sleigh, but the same is not true of Rudolph the Euphorbia. Average to dry, well drained soil and a sunny site suits this plant just fine, similar to the Mediterranean climes where Rudolph the reindeer takes his vacation the other 11 months of the year. Euphorbia 'Rudolph', by the way, knows no vacation; he is at work in your garden 24/7 providing year-round interest.

While Santa’s favorite reindeer prefers to keep a low profile, we have confirmed that Rudolph the Euphorbia will be making an extended appearance on our tables around late September or early October.

By Lynn Wright
Skylights Autumn 2005, Vol 19, No. 3

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