Native Plants for Memphis Gardens.
Dec 2024 Native Plant Spotlight:
Euphorbia corollata used here in one of my designs, alongside Panicum virgatum “Cheyenne Sky” to aid the transition between the daisy/button-shaped Echinacea and the vertical spires of Verbena hastata (just out of frame). As a Memphis landscape designer, this plant checks so many boxes for me, read on.
As we enter December, I’ve been reflecting on a native plant that I consider my top pick from the 2024 growing season. In my opinion, this native plant is under-utilized yet has a place in every garden in Memphis, West Tennessee, and North Mississippi.
Euphorbia corollata
The not so fun news
First, it should be said that with this plant, quality sourcing matters here. While the germination period requires cold stratification for upwards of thirty days, often keeping the seedling going and developing a robust young container-grown plant can be a struggle for native plant growers. In cell trays, the vegetation and root systems can be incredibly delicate, thus easy to stunt or kill plugs of this plant. Not to alarm, but care should be taken handling this plant - as a member of the Euphorbiaceae/spurge plant family, its leaves contain latex sap that may irritate skin or eyes. Its growth habit varies and I recommend relying on experienced plant-workers in Memphis for both sourcing and installation. Don’t let this frighten you - really - you should be growing this plant in your garden!
Now for the really good news.
Once established, Euphorbia corollata is sturdy and thrives without issue. It will grow nicely in average or ’poor’ soil types and does not require special treatment once rooted in place. I do not water it in my designed gardens in Memphis and North Mississippi, relying on rainfall, and that’s it. In the wild, you are likely to find this plant growing in both full sun situations, woodland edges in part-shade, and harsh chalk barrens. For Memphis landscape design work, I usually anticipate it to fill in 1-2’ diameter per plant at 1.5’ to 3’ growth in height. Euphorbia corollata produces an abundance of tiny white blooms during our summer months, and I especially love using this plant for transitioning species, by placing it in between various plant forms. Stunning clouds of soft, small flowers help blend spaces and ease jumps between different plant shapes. Euphorbia corollata pairs brilliantly with so many plants, is loved by pollinators and birds, an absolute workhorse - you cannot go wrong with this “flowering spurge”.
Want to learn more about Euphorbia corollata? Check out Weakley’s Flora of the Southeastern United States entry here!
Euphorbia corollata, shown in situ. This plant native to the Memphis area can be observed growing wild if willing to look for it!
An up close look at the unique flower of Euphorbia corollata, with superior ovary. Showy white flowers, note that these are not technically flower petals but white bracts of the flower. The touch of green at the center of the flower are five green nectar glands. Euphorbia corollata attracts many types of pollinators and birds.
Are you using this plant yet? Let me know how it’s going!
-Joel, songbirdmeadowscapes@gmail.com
Thank you for reading! :)