Spurge Silver Swan

A prettily variegated, smaller cultivar of the species, Euphorbia characias Silver Swan is a medium-sized, evergreen perennial, with a rounded, bushy habit. The leaves are deep blue-green, edged with creamy-white, giving a light, silvery appearance. In mid-spring, long-lasting white flowers with a lime-green stripe are carried in big, bold heads over the mound of foliage; the flowers have an orange-red eye, but rarely open fully to show it. The flowers are very attractive to pollinators. Prune out the flowering stems and any worn-looking stems to the base after flowering, wearing gloves, long sleeves and eye-protection, as the milky sap is an irritant which can cause long-lasting photo-sensitivity. Otherwise, spurge Silver Swan is a low-maintenance plant which can really light up the garden.