Spurge (gopher plant)

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Cherylo210 Jacksonville, OR Apr 27, 2009

I am wondering if there is anyone who knows how to "start" this plant from ones you already have planted. I have not seen any seeds yet and have tried to soak in water for a while but nothing!

Thanks in advance.

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myezek Carson City, NV(Zone 6a) Apr 27, 2009

Mine just reseeded themselves. They eventually became a nuisence (sp?) and I got rid of them.

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Cherylo210 Jacksonville, OR Apr 27, 2009

Do they re-seed from the yellowish flowers? They are blooming for the first time since I planted them and wasnt sure how long the bloom is or if I should prune them.
Thank you very much. I have planted these around the house to keep moles out of my flower beds. I think they work because I have not seen any mole mounds in 6 months or so.

Post #6471578
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Apr 27, 2009

There are 2 types of Spurge with same color flowers and different growth habit. . One is Euphorbia myrsinitis, which sprawl and self-sows to the extent that it becomes weedy.

The second one is E. polychroma, which grows into a mound and is very well behaved in that it is not weedy.

I have started both from seeds. E. myrsinitis I am ripping out. E. polychroma I am keeping.

Both are drought proof with a deep carrot like root. Seeds is the way to get new plants. After flowering, seeds develop in the fall and drop to the ground from E. myrsinitis. You will see the seedling come up next spring. If I remember correctly, the seeds are round and black in color.

Both plants have a milky sap that is irritating on contact, and toxic if ingested. The sap is difficult to remove from the skin. Wear gloves when handling these plants.

Photo of E. myrsinitis

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Post #6471986
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Apr 27, 2009

Here is E. polychroma

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fancyvan Calgary, AB(Zone 3a) Apr 27, 2009

I split my spruge when it gets too big usually in time for the spring plant share if I dont need another one!

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monkapotamus Winston Salem, NC(Zone 7b) Apr 28, 2009

I really like E. myrsinitis, andwanted to plant one or two. I don't mind if it spreads in the local area where I plant it. If I don't want it taking over though, can I snip off the flowers before they seed?

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