Ascot Rainbow Spurge is a beautifully variegated perennial plant that adds a pop of color to gardens with its pink green and creamy white foliage. When planting this eye-catching plant proper planting depth is key to getting it established and helping it thrive. In this article, we’ll explore exactly how deep Ascot Rainbow Spurge needs to be planted.
An Overview of Ascot Rainbow Spurge
Ascot Rainbow Spurge, scientifically known as Euphorbia characias ‘Ascot Rainbow’ is a compact mounded subshrub that reaches about 18-24 inches tall and wide at maturity. This plant is prized for its colorful leaves that display unique variegation in shades of green, cream and light pink.
In late spring to early summer, Ascot Rainbow Spurge produces small green flowers with pink bracts. However, it’s mainly valued for its foliage. This spurge plant is hardy in USDA zones 5-9 and does well in full sun to partial shade. It has low maintenance needs and is drought tolerant once established.
Optimal Planting Depth for Ascot Rainbow Spurge
When planting your Ascot Rainbow Spurge, it’s important to dig a hole that accommodates the root ball and allows you to bury some of the stem. Here are some tips on how deep this plant should be planted:
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Match nursery soil level: Remove the plant from its nursery pot and plant it at the same soil level it was growing at in the container. This prevents burying the crown too deep.
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Bury 1/3 of the stem: For a newly planted Ascot Rainbow Spurge, aim to bury about 1/3 of the stem below the soil surface. This helps anchor the plant.
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Plant crown just above soil: Position the crown or base of the plant just above the soil line. Don’t bury it too deep.
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Hole depth of 6-8 inches: Dig a hole that’s approximately 6-8 inches deep to allow room for some of the stem to be buried. Adjust based on plant size.
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Mound soil over roots: Mound loose soil over the root ball to stabilize the plant. Firm the soil gently without compacting it too much.
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Water well after planting: Be sure to water thoroughly after planting to remove air pockets and settle the soil.
Step-By-Step Planting Instructions
Follow these steps for properly planting your Ascot Rainbow Spurge at the ideal depth:
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Prepare a hole that’s 2-3 times wider than the plant’s root ball and approximately 6-8 inches deep.
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Loosen the root ball of the plant and gently remove from its nursery pot.
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Make a mound of soil at the bottom of the hole so the spurge will sit at the same depth as it was growing in its container.
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Position the plant in the hole with the crown right at soil level.
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Backfill the hole with soil, firming it gently. Cover about 1/3 of the stem.
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Water thoroughly to settle the soil and eliminate air pockets.
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Apply 2-3 inches of mulch around the plant, leaving space near the stem.
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Water the plant regularly until it establishes a deep root system.
Factors Affecting Planting Depth
When determining the optimal planting depth, also consider the following factors:
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Soil drainage: Plant a bit shallower in poorly drained soil. Ascot Rainbow Spurge hates wet feet.
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Root ball size: Adjust hole depth based on the size of the root ball so 1/3 of stem is buried.
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Plant age: Bury a bit more of a younger plant’s stem to anchor it well. Mature plants may be more shallow.
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Climate: In cold climates, plant a touch deeper for insulation. In hot climates, plant more shallowly.
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Soil type: Sandy soils may require slightly deeper planting than loam or clay soils.
Troubleshooting Planting Depth Issues
If your Ascot Rainbow Spurge struggles after planting, the depth may be to blame. Here are some potential issues and fixes:
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Planted too deep: Dig up and replant at proper depth if the crown is buried.
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Planted too shallow: Carefully mound more soil over the roots and lower stem.
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Sinkage after planting: Add more soil if the plant sunk deeper into the hole after watering.
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Crown rot from wet soil: Improve drainage and don’t overwater if crown rots from excessive moisture.
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Leaning plant: Stake upright if planted too shallowly and stem flops over.
Caring for Your Ascot Rainbow Spurge After Planting
Once your Ascot Rainbow Spurge is planted at the ideal depth, be sure to care for it properly by:
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Watering weekly until established, then reducing frequency.
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Applying a balanced fertilizer in early spring.
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Pruning lightly in early spring to shape and remove dead growth.
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Cutting back flower stems after blooming.
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Mulching to conserve moisture and suppress weeds.
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Dividing every 2-3 years to rejuvenate the plant.
Achieve Lush, Healthy Growth Through Proper Planting
More Information Description With uniquely variegated foliage and flower-like bracts, ‘Ascot Rainbow’ spurge (or Euphorbia x martinii ) is an intriguing perennial for colorful patio containers or sunny garden beds. Narrow, grey-green foliage has bright yellow margins from spring to fall, but it really shines in the cooler months. In cool temperatures, the foliage picks up red, pink, and orange hues, creating a kaleidoscope of colors on each leaf. As if it weren’t already colorful enough, it boasts dark purple stems and variegated flower-like bracts in late spring. It’s the perfect plant for variegated plant collectors or any gardener that needs to add flair to their landscape! Spurges are shrub-like perennials that are easy to grow for gardeners of any level, as long as they’re planted in well-draining soils. It’s tolerant of heat, drought, and even poor soils, making it ideal for problematic or xeric sites. Since it’s resistant to deer, rabbits, and diseases, it takes very little (or no maintenance) to remain attractive all season long. Plant it in full sun in northern zones and part sun (with afternoon shade) in southern zones for the best performance. Caution: spurges are a relative of poinsettias, so they are also poisonous if ingested by humans or pets. Handle with gloves, as their sap may irritate the skin. Details
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- Variegated foliage takes on a kaleidoscope of color in cool temperatures!
- Blooms in late spring with variegated flowers.
- Ideal for containers, mixed beds, or xeriscaping.
- Handles drought, heat, deer, and rabbits with ease.
- Zones 5-9, sun to part sun, 20″ tall and wide at maturity.
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Plant spacing is based on the ultimate width of the plants. This figure is normally given as a range; for example, 3-5’. If you live in a cold climate and/or want plants to fill in more quickly, plan to space at the shorter end of the range. If you live in a warm climate, are on a limited budget, or are willing to wait longer for plants to touch, use the higher end of the range. Using the larger number is recommended when calculating distance from a building or structure. There’s really no such thing as “maximum spacing”: if you don’t want your plants to touch, you can space them as far apart as you’d like. All plant spacing is calculated on center, or in other words, the centers of the plants are spaced one half of their eventual width apart:
Unless you are planting in a straight line, as you might for hedges or edging, space your plants in a staggered or zig-zag pattern for a more interesting and naturalistic look:
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Euphorbia ‘Ascot Rainbow’ (Spurge) // Very USEFUL perennial with UNIQUE foliage and flowers
FAQ
How big does Ascot Rainbow Euphorbia get?
Do you cut back Euphorbia ascot rainbow?
Is spurge ascot rainbow poisonous to dogs?
Can Ascot Rainbow spurge grow in shade?
The Ascot Rainbow Spurge prefers to grow under the full sun, particularly when grown in the cooler USDA zones. For the warmer zones, it grows optimally in partial shade. However, be sure to protect the plant from the harsh rays of the afternoon sun. Moreover, this plant grows well in USDA hardiness zone 5 to 9.
How do you propagate spurges ‘Ascot Rainbow’?
Spurges ‘Ascot Rainbow’ is most commonly propagated via cuttings. It is important to wear gloves while working with spurge s ‘Ascot Rainbow’ cuttings and to clean the pruning shears thoroughly after pruning, so that any unwanted contact with the sap is avoided. Before planting, it is necessary to leave the cuttings to dry for 2-3 days.
Do spurges ‘Ascot Rainbow’ need a lot of water?
This dwarf hybrid grows well in containers and stands out in mixed borders. Spurges ‘Ascot Rainbow’ needs regular watering about once a week, especially during growing seasons. The plants don’t need great amounts of water during temperate environmental conditions, but during hot summer days they need as much water as any other plant.
How big do Ascot Rainbow spurges get?
Habit: These compact perennials grow to around 20 inches in height with a similar spread. Season: ‘Ascot Rainbow’ spurges look alluring through every season, truly living up to their name with their variant, spectacular colors.