Self seeding euphorbias
Meet my weeds. Euphorbia characias subsp. wulfenii. A bit of a mouthful; especially as I usually just call them my euphorbs. They are a wonderful plant.
But they do like to travel.
I started out with five little teensy plants and I put them in the herb garden. They are still there, but not the originals. They have self seeded with tremendous abandon since then.
And once I even heard them exploding when the seeds were ripe. It was like a tiny rifle shot, multiplied by one hundred. Or a thousand.
And since then I have been able to help myself to an endless number of free plants. If they land in a suitable spot, I let them go and thrive. I pull them up if they are in absurdly wrong spots – such as the paths of the potager. 
And sometimes I just turn my back and a shrub takes over half the garden.
That’s what happened right underneath the olive tree in among the lavenders. Cheeky plant. But you have to admire its tenacity and ability to take root so well.
In springtime the plants throw up the most fantastic acid green bracts. Gorgeous colour that makes you gasp when you round a corner and suddenly see the glow.
At the end of this month (or the next if I’m too busy) I will cut them back hard. And get to enjoy the dark green foliage for the rest of the year.
27th April 2020 @ 11:02 am
Hi Lindy
My garden seems to be full of self seeded Euphorbias this year. All in inappropriate parts of the garden, What is the safest way for me( and my dogs) to get rid of them. I understand the sap can be harmful.
Hope you can help.
27th April 2020 @ 12:47 pm
Hi Deborah, it is a shame when they self-seed in the wrong spots. The trick is to get them young and small before they have a chance to establish. And long washing up gloves will be your friend. You have to pull them up with those thick rubber gloves as protection. And bin them. If you have to cut them instead, this is what I do. I wear the long gloves again, and use long loppers. I cut as low as I can and just leave the stalks to die for about two days so that the sap can dry out. Then get rid of them. If you can keep the dogs away it would be best. And watch that you don’t get a faceful bending down to cut them. Best of luck.
27th April 2020 @ 4:50 pm
Many thanks Lindy.
Off to Amazon for long gloves!
27th April 2020 @ 5:11 pm
Marigold washing up gloves and long sleeves!