Euphorbia 'Bonfire'

Euphorbia 'Bonfire': Foliage Smouldering Through Three Seasons

Chrome-yellow flowers in spring, then foliage that cycles through orange, red, purple and burgundy like it can't settle on a party theme. 'Bonfire' keeps the colour burning all season. NO MATCHES REQUIRED.

Plant Characteristics:

• Botanical Name: Euphorbia polychroma 'Bonfire' (syn. E. epithymoides)
• Common Name: Cushion Spurge
• Height: 30–45 cm (12–18 in)
• Spread: 30–45 cm (12–18 in)
• Flowers: Bright chrome-yellow bracts surrounding tiny true flowers
• Bloom Time: Late spring (May to June)
• Foliage: Green, orange, red and purple in spring, deepening to burgundy in summer and red in fall. Colour is best in full sun.
• Features: Rabbit resistant, three-season foliage colour

Where to Plant: Use it at the front of a sunny border, in a rock garden or along a dry walkway, where its rounded shape and changing colours can be seen up close, or as a filler in mixed containers. The milky sap can irritate skin and eyes, so plant it away from where small children play.

Companion Plants: Give 'Bonfire' a sunny, dry bed where its red-purple leaves sit beside silver, gold and rose-purple. Sedum 'Czar's Gold' carpets the front at 10 to 15 cm with golden stars from June to August. Stachys 'Helene von Stein' adds big woolly silver leaves at 25 to 30 cm. Echinacea purpurea brings rose-purple coneflowers at 60 to 120 cm from July to September. Andropogon 'Blackhawks' stands behind at 150 cm, its blades darkening to purple-black.

Plant Care: Plant in full sun or light shade in well-drained, average to lean soil. Sun brings out the strongest leaf colour. Avoid wet, heavy soil, especially in winter. Water through the first season, then only during long dry spells. After the bracts fade, you can trim the plant lightly to keep it compact and tidy. Cut it back in late fall or early spring. Cushion spurges dislike being disturbed, so divide only if needed, in spring, and wear gloves.

History: 'Bonfire' was bred by Mary Ann Faria of Limerock Plant Farm from two unnamed Euphorbia plants and introduced by Blooms of Bressingham. Its species, cushion spurge, is native to Europe and has long been a garden favourite for its early, glowing yellow display.

Final Thoughts: Give it full sun for the hottest colour and let the deer and rabbits keep their distance. THE ONLY CAMPFIRE THAT NEEDS NO PERMIT.