Pruning cushion spurge
Advice for October in the Netherlands
This cushion spurge is the low, herbaceous cushion-forming plant. Retain healthy foliage and tidy old stems selectively. Its white latex requires gloves and eye protection when cutting. Months are guidelines for the Netherlands and Belgium; also assess growth, flowering and the weather forecast.
Cushion spurge — October
Check this first
Do not give an overall trim simply because of the month. Retain healthy stems, foliage and flowers; carefully tidy completely dead remains. Spring is a practical time for the main tidy, while removing faded flowers is a separate choice.
Pay attention to this
- Wear gloves, long sleeves and safety glasses against latex.
- Do not touch your face or eyes with contaminated hands or tools.
- Keep cuttings away from children and animals; plant parts must not be eaten.
- Do not apply this to Euphorbia characias or other evergreen species.
Frequently asked questions
- Why wear protective clothing around spurge?
- Cuts release irritating latex, which must especially be kept out of the eyes.
- Is E. polychroma the same garden plant?
- That name is widely used for this cushion-forming plant. Exact taxonomic placement differs among sources; check the label and herbaceous growth habit.
- Must everything go after the yellow display?
- No. Removing spent tips can limit self-seeding. Healthy foliage may remain for ornamental value.