Like chartreuse flowers? Try this marsh spurge paired with the deep lavender wall flower ‘Bowle’s Mauve’ for a spring combination in a sunny border. The marsh spurge does double duty with its bright green foliage that may turn yellow or orange in the fall. Although marsh spurge is native to marshlands it does well with medium moisture and so is a good companion for the wallflower in moist but well-drained soil.
Wallflower (Erysimum linifolium ‘Bowle’s Mauve’)
A shrubby perennial, ‘Bowle’s Mauve’ wallflower is often planted in the fall like pansies. The plants over-winter and then bloom profusely in the spring. If cut back to 6” they may rebloom in fall. The leaves are grey-green and evergreen in mild climates. The flowers are carried in dense racemes well above the foliage and make a striking impact in spring. ‘Bowle’s Mauve’ wallflower is short lived and lasts only two years.
-
Bloom time: Early to late spring
Size: 24-32’ H x 18-24” W
Hardiness: Zones 6-10
Marsh Spurge (Euphorbia palustris)
A native of Europe and western Asia, marsh spurge is a hardy perennial related to the Christmas poinsettia. The chartreuse “flowers” are actually bracts that surround the small inconspicuous flowers. All parts of the plant are toxic and the stems produce a milky sap that may be irritating to the skin.
Bloom time: Spring to early summer
Size: 24-36” H x 36-48” W
Hardiness: Zones 5-8
