In folk medicine, spurge is one of the most important medicinal herbs for skin complaints. The herb is also popular as an ornamental plant.
The almond-leaved spurge (Euphorbia amygdaloides) is particularly decorative here. Because of its bizarre leaves, it is suitable as an original ornamental leaf plant in the bed. There are also a number of varieties that have other ornamental aspects, such as brightly colored stems.
Because of its evergreen leaves, Almond Spurge gives beautiful color accents in the garden all year round. The leaves are also particularly decorative thanks to their ovate-lanceolate shape. According to their name, they are reminiscent of the leaves of the almond tree and are slightly hairy on the edge of the leaf and on the underside of the leaf. The leaves appear in rosettes in the middle of the flowering shoot, which, together with the greenish-yellow pseudo umbels of the plant blossom, creates an incomparable ornamental effect.
Almond Spurge in the Garden
The spurge is only used medicinally in regions where there is no access to modern medical facilities. There is a reason for this, because the milky sap from the stems of the plant, unlike the healing leaves, is extremely irritating to the skin. The acrid milk secretion also gave the plant its name and suggests that this plant should only be planted in the garden where it is protected from children and pets. When working on the plant, you should also always wear gloves to prevent skin irritation.
Spurge is the eponymous genus in the spurge family (Euphorbiaceae). Characteristic of these is not only the plant-typical milky sap. Likewise, many spurge plants are characterized by their shrub-like to succulent-like growth. They are therefore very popular as plants in succulent gardens, rock gardens and on the edge of trees.The almond leaf spurge comes mainly from Central Europe and the Mediterranean area. It preferably grows in mountainous regions, but also likes to grow in alluvial forests and oak-hornbeam forests. Euphorbia amygdaloides is therefore also well suited for alpine and forest gardens. The 20 to 40 cm high clumps of theAlmond-leaved spurge in groups of 8 to 10 per square meter.
| Almond Leaf Spurge (Euphorbia amygdaloides) | |
|---|---|
| Growth: | upright, loosely bushy, clumpy |
| Growth: | 20 - 40 cm |
| Growth: | 30 - 40 cm |
| Plant Supplies: | 8 to 10 pieces per m² |
| Location: | Sun to partial shade |
| Floor: | dry to fresh, well drained, normal |
Almond Leaf Spurge - Location and Planting
Almond-leaved spurge loves nutrient-rich and calcareous loamy soil. In its natural habitat, it is therefore also considered a clay indicator. Spurge likes to appear here in associations with other plants that prefer clay soils. Euphorbia amygdaloides feels incredibly comfortable, especially in the company of common beeches, pedunculate oaks, sessile oaks and trees and shrubs of the hardwood meadows. Palm leaf hellebore and bulky aster are also interesting plant partners.
The best soil pH for Euphorbia amygdaloides is in the acidic to neutral range, between 6 and 7 points. As far as the lighting conditions at the location are concerned, almond leaf spurge should be sunny to partially shaded if possible. However, blazing summer and winter sun should be avoided. It easily causes burn damage to the evergreen leaves of the plant. However, if Euphorbia amygdaloides is sheltered, it is very hardy at up to 34°C.
➔ Planting Almond Leaf Spurge - Step by Step
1. Step: The best planting time for milkweed is at the end of May after the Ice Saints. On the one hand, late frosts are no longer a threat here, which is why the establishment at the site is relatively quick. On the other hand, spring plantings also have enough time to take root well in the ground until the next winter. This makes them more resistant to cold and allows them to survive the cold season better.
2. Step: If necessary, the soil should be enriched with a little lime and compost before planting. This guarantees the Almond Leaf Spurge a good start and ensures lush budding in the first year.
3. Step: Dig a planting hole 1½ times the size of the root ball. Euphorbia amygdaloides reaches growth widths of 30 to 40 cm. Plan the planting distance between the individual perennials accordingly. After planting, Leafy Spurge will thenfinally well poured.
➔ Almond Leaf Spurge - water and fertilize
The soil for the Almond Leaf Spurge should always be fresh and moist. You can therefore water moderately but regularly. Before each watering, make sure that the soil is well dried. This prevents dangerous waterlogging. In the dry summer months, it can be two waterings per day. It is best to water here early in the morning and in the evening. This protects the evergreen foliage from burn damage from the hot midday sun.
Regular fertilization is not absolutely necessary for Almond Leaf Spurge, but it can be done. It is best to use organic fertilizer such as compost or horn shavings and give it to the plant every four weeks during the growth phase.
Almond Leaf Spurge - cut and propagate
Pruning of the almond leaf spurge is also not absolutely necessary. However, you should regularly cut off withered shoots. This prevents plant diseases and supports vigorous new growth.
➔ Almond Leaf Spurge - Propagation by self-seeding
Euphorbia amygdaloides is extremely prolific. The propagation of the three-furrowed capsule fruits is mainly carried out by ants (myrmecochory), which distribute the seeds in the immediate vicinity. If you want to prevent the self-seeding of the almond-leaved spurge, you should cut off the infructescence early after flowering. Alternatively, you can also collect the ripe capsule fruits and grow new plants by sowing.
➔ Almond Leaf Spurge - Propagation by root division
The easiest way of controlled propagation of Euphorbia amygdaloides is root division. To do this, dig up the plant in early spring and divide the root ball into two equal pieces. Make sure that each section has at least 2 buds. The sections can then be transplanted directly back into the bed.
➔ Almond Leaf Spurge - Propagation by cuttings
As an alternative to sowing or dividing the roots, the almond leaf spurge can also be propagated by cuttings. The cuttings are taken in early summer, please only cut off well-developed shoots. Place the cutting in a glass of water so that the plant's milky sap can bleed out a little. Then the cutting is planted in a pot with potting soil, where it remains until the shoot is well rooted.
Winter protection for the almond leafSpurge
Euphorbia amygdaloides is basically very hardy. However, in order to better protect the roots from melt water and ground frost, it is advisable to lightly cover them with brushwood or fir branches. In winter, watering is only done on frost-free days and then only very sparingly.
Almond-leaved spurge - beautiful varieties for the garden bed
There are a number of popular varieties of almond leaf spurge. 'Rubra' and 'Purpurea' fascinate here with their deep red stems, which also increase the ornamental value of the plant. 'Purpurea' also has red-green leaves. The garden spurge 'Efanthia' enchants the garden with red autumn leaves. The 'Ascot Rainbow' variety, on the other hand, has rare, yellow-green variegated leaves, which also have a slightly reddish tinge during new growth.
Diseases and Pests
The acrid milky sap of the Almond Leaf Spurge successfully keeps predators such as slugs away. However, some damage pictures can still make life difficult for the plant. For example, powdery mildew or plant rust occasionally occurs on Euphorbia amygdaloides.
While plants affected by mildew can often be saved by spraying them with milk or garlic water, plants affected by rust must be removed from the bed immediately. Otherwise there is a risk of the rust fungi spreading in the bed. Please dispose of infested perennials separately in the household waste and not in the compost, where the fungi would otherwise also spread happily.
Among the pests, thrips and aphids in particular target the almond leaf spurge. Fortunately, the plant is also a beneficial pasture for bees, ladybugs and Co., which often take care of the pests. Alternatively, spraying with stinging nettle broth can get rid of the pests.