Yearning for Euphorbia...

Euphorbia clavarioides ssp. truncata on Ben Macdhui

I hasten to aver that this is Ben Macdhui highest peak in the East Cape of South Africa (3,001-metre (9,846 ft)) and NOT Ben MacDui  (1,309 metres (4,295 feet)) second highest peak in Scotland. Twenty five years ago this March, Jim Archibald and I drove on what is now Ben Macdhui pass--which is even higher than Sani Pass--turned a corner and saw this hillside at nearly 2800 m. covered with these magnificent mounds! I've been haunted by these little blobs--like extraterrestrials invading Earth--ever since. But I've not had lasting luck in my garden with them alas!

Euphorbia clavarioides in Rod Haenni's garden, Littleton

Rod Haenni (whose name will come up again in a bit) HAS had luck in Littleton, Colorado. Not that I'm jealous or anything! I like Rod, fortunately. Otherwise my little effigy of him would be full of cholla spines...

Euphorbia acanthocanthus, Mt. Hymmeto, Attica

How I have admired the perfectly symmetrical mounds of this exquisite Euphorbia that light up the lower foothills and plains throughout Greece in March and April. I know darned well it wouldn't grow for us!

Euphorbia spinosa at APEX Simms St. Arvada, Colorado

Who cares if E. acanthocanthus is tender: we can grow its lookalike cousin E. spinosa, which was blooming to perfection last May at the fantastic APEX garden designed by Kenton Seth and Paul Spriggs... notice the Eriogonum ovalifolium it's swallowing--and will probably soon swallow Castilleja integra to boot! First world problems, those! 

Euphorbia cf. myrsinites Mt. Tymfristos

I have a gigantic chip on my shoulder (I'm not talking potato or buffalo chips, mind you!) We are not supposed to grow Euphorbia myrsinites (which I agree has become a pest in our foothill environments). One of my otherwise all time favorite colleagues removed all the myrtle spurge from the Rock Alpine Garden almost 20 years ago (which I've never forgiven him, b.t.w.) Frankly, I don't give a Tinker's damn if this were a weed: I'd grow it. Not likely to escape my garden of course--although I'd have a hard time denying it to my friends (except HIM: he could never have a piece).

Euphorbia cf. myrsinites Mt. Tymfristos

I have written not just ONE, but TWO diatribes about Euphorbias: I recommend you click those links and read them both several times. And write your Senators. Except don't write Rand Paul--he's illiterate.

Euphorbia rigida near Izmir, Turkey

Of course, the weed police haven't gone after E. myrsinites big cousin. It helps that it's restrained and just a tad tender so presumably it will remain legal a bit longer...

Of course all the Euphorbia talk is a bit of a smoke screen: I have had a lifelong love affair with succulent plants of all sorts (as do untold millions of people under the age of 40: hurray hurray!) 

We are a mere eight days from the first ever Webinar devoted to the subject of hardy succulents and rock gardens with a stellar list of presenters from the four corners of North America. For a measly $25 (if you're a NARGS member) you can learn a great deal about how a tremendous variety of succulents adapt to all manner of gardens in the cold Midwest, in the hot and humid Southeast, or in the Maritime Northwest (and more). Rod Haenni, Vice President of the Cactus and Succulent Society of America (and lifelong Colorado rock gardener) will present as well as moderate along with Elisabeth Zander!

And if you NOT a NARGS member, you can use this as an opportunity to join up at a DISCOUNT! Just click HERE and DO IT!