Plant Database

Other Names:  Griffith's Spurge

Description:

Vigorous mounded growth, perfect for landscape beds and borders; beautiful orange-red flowers sit above green leaves with red hues during the summer months; foliage transitions to gorgeous crimson red in the cooler fall months

Ornamental Features

Fireglow Spurge has masses of beautiful cymes of orange flowers with yellow overtones and tomato-orange bracts at the ends of the stems from mid spring to early fall, which are most effective when planted in groupings. The flowers are excellent for cutting. Its attractive narrow leaves emerge coppery-bronze in spring, turning olive green in colour with hints of red. As an added bonus, the foliage turns a gorgeous crimson in the fall. The red stems are very colorful and add to the overall interest of the plant.

Landscape Attributes

Fireglow Spurge is an herbaceous perennial with a mounded form. Its medium texture blends into the garden, but can always be balanced by a couple of finer or coarser plants for an effective composition.

This is a relatively low maintenance plant, and is best cleaned up in early spring before it resumes active growth for the season. Deer don't particularly care for this plant and will usually leave it alone in favor of tastier treats. It has no significant negative characteristics.

Fireglow Spurge is recommended for the following landscape applications;

• Mass Planting
• Border Edging
• General Garden Use

Planting & Growing

Fireglow Spurge will grow to be about 3 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 32 inches. The flower stalks can be weak and so it may require staking in exposed sites or excessively rich soils. It grows at a fast rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for approximately 10 years. As an herbaceous perennial, this plant will usually die back to the crown each winter, and will regrow from the base each spring. Be careful not to disturb the crown in late winter when it may not be readily seen!

This plant does best in full sun to partial shade. It is very adaptable to both dry and moist growing conditions, but will not tolerate any standing water. It is not particular as to soil pH, but grows best in sandy soils. It is highly tolerant of urban pollution and will even thrive in inner city environments. This is a selected variety of a species not originally from North America, and parts of it are known to be toxic to humans and animals, so care should be exercised in planting it around children and pets. It can be propagated by cuttings; however, as a cultivated variety, be aware that it may be subject to certain restrictions or prohibitions on propagation.