Euphorbia seguieriana subsp. niciciana - Spurge

The Euphorbia seguieriana subsp. niciciana is a small perennial evergreen and very hardy plant of dry terrain, perfect for rock gardens and waterless gardens. It forms several thin, more or less prostrate stems covered with delicate, fleshy, green-blue-silver leaves. At the end of these stems, a abundant flowering of lime green bracts with an acidic green hue unfolds throughout the summer. It appreciates the sun and can tolerate any well-drained soil, even rocky, poor, and limestone soils.

The Euphorbia seguieriana subsp. niciciana belongs to the family of euphorbiaceae. It is native to the Balkan Peninsula, Turkey, Iran, and Pakistan. It has a slightly prostrate tufted habit, reaching 40 to 50 cm (16 to 20in) in all directions. The stems emerge from a central woody crown. The summer flowering takes place from June to September. Inflorescences in umbels, measuring 8 to 15 cm (3 to 6in) in diameter, composed of naked bracts (without petals), form on the terminal part of the leafy stems. Euphorbias are characterized by a very peculiar "flower" called a cyathium, which only exists in these plants. The flower is reduced to a female part surrounded by small crescents, the male parts. This apparent simplicity does not prevent subtle variations of colors that contribute to the strange charm of euphorbias. The foliage is evergreen to semi-evergreen depending on the climate, composed of linear to elliptical-oblong leaves, with a glaucous green color that varies between blue and silver. Like all euphorbias, this plant produces a sticky latex when broken. This latex can cause skin irritations and is toxic if ingested (all parts of the plant).

Euphorbia seguieriana subsp. niciciana is perfectly suited for dry gardens, rock gardens, wild or mineral gardens. Its uniqueness will blend well with yellow, orange, or red kniphofias, phormiums, the blue flowering of forget-me-nots, the large leaves of tetrapanax, and yuccas. It is equally at ease in modern gardens as in a rural atmosphere, it pairs well with anything, enhancing any color with its acidic inflorescences. To make its flowering even brighter, simply pair it with the violet of irises, alliums, or large-flowered clematis. The combination with grasses is particularly successful. Using it can create soft and sinuous mass effects, structure flower beds, contrast colors, and shapes of foliage.