Colour in my garden

Euphorbia polychroma

A really bright addition to the garden in May. Also known as Many Coloured Spurge and Cushion Spurge. As with all Euphorbias, the bright colouring is from the bracts that surround the flowers, they also all have milky sap which is a skin irritant so care is needed with any cutting back.

Not a fussy plant, any well drained soil in sun or light shade will do. It is a compact, rounded plant of around 45cm high. A great plant for bringing cheer to your herbaceous border.

Grow it with blue flowers, such as pulmonarias and scillas.


Another fantastic blue flower is the perennial cornflower, or Centaurea montana.

Very common in British gardens, it will suit many styles. As with the Euphorbia, it will grow in most soils sunny or light shade. It can spread so keep an eye on it, though dont worry, its not too invasive!

 Though the flower are produced on stiff stems I would be inclined to place supports as the plant starts to grow, they have a habit of  falling open and looking rather messy. Lovely plant nonetheless.

One more! This ones a cracker - Geum Georgenberg, a low growing perennial with gorgeous orange flowers. Give it a sunny spot with moist but well drained soil.

I have mine growing next to Heuchera Plum Pudding, a rich purple that really sets of the geums.

This plant was bought from Larch Cottage Nurseries near Penrith, Cumbria, the best nursery/garden centre I have ever been to. Check them out at https://larchcottage.co.uk/cms/home

An amazing place which also has a great restaurant!