Plant Min Zone: 6a
Plant Max Zone: 8a
Sunlight: Part Sun, Shade
Water / Rainfall: Low, Average
Soil Quality: Poor, Average
Bloom Season: Spring, Early Summer
Flower Color: Green, Chartreuse
Berry / Fruit Color: None
Spring Foliage Color: Dark Green
Summer Foliage Color: Dark Green
Fall Foliage Color: Dark Green
Evergreen Foliage: Yes
Winter Interest: Yes
Scented Flowers: No
Drought Tolerance: Medium, High
Wet-Feet Tolerance: Low
Humidity Tolerance: Low, Medium
Wind Tolerance: Medium
Poor Soil Tolerance: Rocky Soils, Shallow Soils, Sandy Soils
Height: 0.75' - 1'
Width: 1' - 1.5'
Growth Rate: Slow
Service Life: Medium: 3-5 years
Maintenance Need: Medium
Spreading Potential: Low
Yearly Trimming Tips: Trim Perennial to Ground in Early Spring before New Growth: Has Winter Interest.
Plant Grouping Size: Small Grouping of 3-5
Best Side of House: East Exposure, North Exposure
Extreme Planting Locations: Root-Bound Soils Under Tree, Survives Severe Drought, Top of Retaining Wall Locations, Resistant to Rabbits
Ornamental Features: Long Lasting Fall Color, Bright Winter Color, Exceptional / Colorful Foliage
Special Landscape Uses: None
Possible Pest Problems: Root Rot Disease, Weed Competition
Plant Limitations: May get Occasional Winter-kill, Environmental Stress / Decline, May be Poisonous, Needs Excellent Drainage
Robbie Spurge (Euphorbia amygdaloides var. robbiae) is grown for its deep green glossy whorled foliage that is very architectural and symetrical. They have everything a gardener might ask for; beautiful spring flowers, dependable dark green foliage, evergreen during winter, pest-free foliage, and ease of care with very low maintenance. Rare greenish-yellow flowers last incredibly long 1 to 2 months and finally turn brown in need of dead-heading. Native to dry woodland locations in Europe, Turkey and the Caucasus, Robbie Spurge tolerates poor soils, including rocky-sandy ones. Root rot can be a problem in poor drainage areas. It prefers average to dry garden conditions with dappled or morning sun. Sun burning is possible with temperatures over 100° so avoid full afternoon sun. Plantings can thrive for many years if in the right spot and there is no such thing as overcrowding. The growth rate is slow at first but eventually forms a nice weed resistant cover so space new plants relatively close together is desiring this effect. Evergreen foliage is hardy to about -10°F with complete death occurring at about -15°F for unmulched plants. Robbie Spurge is less adapted to consistent summer heat and humidity of zone 7b areas or South. With poisonous foliage, these plants resist deer and rabbit browsing. What a great plant for the dry shade garden!