The Ascot Rainbow Spurge is a visually striking perennial prized for its colorful variegated foliage. This Euphorbia x martinii cultivar features eye-catching leaves in shades of green, pink, cream and burgundy that make it a standout in containers or garden beds But how fast does this beautiful plant grow once established?
Growth Rate
The Ascot Rainbow Spurge is considered a relatively fast-growing perennial. When provided with ideal growing conditions, it can grow quite rapidly in its first few years after planting. Here’s a look at its growth rate timeline:
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Year 1 – The first year after planting expect the Ascot Rainbow Spurge to grow about 1-2 feet in height and spread 1-1.5 feet across. It will likely triple in size its first year.
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Year 2 – In its second year, the plant matures and takes off with very vigorous growth. It can easily grow 2-3 feet tall and spread 2-2.5 feet wide this year.
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Year 3 – Growth continues at a rapid pace in year 3, with the Ascot Rainbow Spurge reaching 2.5-3.5 feet tall and spreading 2.5-3 feet across.
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Year 4 – By its 4th year, this fast-growing Spurge achieves its mature size of 2-3 feet tall x 2-3 feet wide. Growth slows after maturity but still expands moderately.
Growth Factors
Several key factors affect the growth rate of Ascot Rainbow Spurge:
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Sunlight – The more sun the better! At least 6 hours of direct sunlight fuels rapid growth. Partial shade will slow the pace.
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Soil – Well-draining soil enriched with compost promotes vigorous growth. Poor drainage inhibits growth.
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Water – Consistent watering is key, especially in early stages. Drought stress slows growth rate.
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Fertilizer – Moderate fertilization in spring spurs faster growth. Avoid over-fertilizing.
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Pruning – Periodic pruning or cutting back leggy stems encourages bushier, more compact growth.
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Propagation – Starting from cuttings or divisions accelerates maturity vs. planting as a small starter plant.
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Temperature – Warm spring/summer temperatures (60-80°F) are ideal. Cooler temps may slow growth.
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Pests/disease – Prevent and control issues early to avoid stunting growth.
Growth Habit
The Ascot Rainbow Spurge exhibits an herbaceous perennial growth habit. Each spring, new shoots emerge from the base or crown of the plant. It grows rapidly through the warm season, then dies back to the ground after the first hard frost in fall. The root system remains alive and dormant over winter, sending up fresh new foliage the following spring.
This growth habit allows the plant to spread via its roots and shoots. It also makes the Ascot Rainbow Spurge very resilient, able to re-sprout vigorously every year even after frost damage. Proper cut back and clean up in fall ensures healthy regrowth.
Growth Stages
As a perennial, the Ascot Rainbow Spurge transitions through different stages of growth based on seasonal influences:
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Spring – Fast emergence of new shoots and leaves. Rapid vegetative growth begins.
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Summer – Peak growth period with maximum foliage expansion and flowering. Established plants grow over 2 feet at this stage.
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Fall – Foliage fades as the plant prepares for dormancy. Growth rate slows.
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Winter – Foliage dies back after frost. Plant goes dormant until spring reawakening.
Uses for Fast Growing Ascot Rainbow Spurge
The relatively fast and full growth habit of Ascot Rainbow Spurge makes it perfect for:
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Flower beds – Quickly fills in as a focal point or thriller plant combined with slower growers.
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Containers – Can instantly provide color, height and fullness paired with lower plants.
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Landscaping – Its rapid growth is great for achieving privacy, lending height to garden beds, or filling in large areas.
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Hedges/Screens – With pruning, it can make a colorful, medium-height hedge or living screen.
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Erosion control – The dense, spreading root system prevents soil erosion on banks or slopes.
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Borders – Creates a nice border along pathways, fences or property lines.
Caring for Rapidly Growing Ascot Rainbow Spurge
The Ascot Rainbow Spurge’s vigorous growth habit means it requires some care to look its best:
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Annual pruning in late winter maintains desired shape and flowering.
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Staking taller stems may be needed, especially in exposed sites.
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Routinely divide every 2-3 years to control spread and renew growth.
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Irrigate during dry periods to prevent stunted growth.
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Apply balanced fertilizer in early spring to fuel growth surge.
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Monitor for pests like spider mites that can inhibit rapid growth.
With its stunning variegated foliage and ability to grow rapidly when conditions are right, Ascot Rainbow Spurge is sure to be a standout addition to gardens and landscapes where a burst of fast color is desired.
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 fast does spurge grow?
How big does Ascot Rainbow Euphorbia get?
Do you cut back Euphorbia ascot rainbow?
What is a ‘Ascot Rainbow’ spurge?
Never fear ‘Ascot Rainbow’ Spurge is here. Also known as Euphorbia martinii, this is a low growing evergreen subshrub (20 inches in height) that looks stunning in masses. This plant has an upright bushy habit with creamy green and white variegated leaves. The top of each growing tip has a tinge of magenta pink that gives off a tropical vibe.
When does Ascot Rainbow spurge Bloom?
The bloom time or growing season of this plant is typically between July and September. 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.
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.
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.