In the evening, I walked past my neighbor’s house with two containers on the west porch. They are full of flowers that look healthy. My wise neighbor filled the containers with warm, thorny crowns. According to horticulturalists, Euphria milli, a thorny crown, is a year-round flowering plant.
The crown of thorns is a perennial shrub or plant that belongs to a family of plants, such as penicillin, cranberry, and spruce. Euphorbiaceae. This family of plants is very large, with about 9,000 species in many different climates around the world. Plants in the Euphorbiaceae can be trees, shrubs or ground cover and can be annual or perennial. They often have milk juices, which are toxic and / or irritating to the skin, and cactus-like with thorns.
Native to Madagascar, Thorn Crown; Depending on the size of the tree, it can grow from a few inches to a few feet long. The leaves are up to 2.5 inches long, centered on the tips of the branches. The actual flowers are tiny in a special structure called cationium, which is printed on both sides of the bracts in red, pink, white, or yellow shades.
The crown of thorns grows slowly in an open habit. They are hardy plants once established, and no irrigation is required or desirable in this dry loving plant. In highly irrigated roots, they are prone to root rot, fall and yellow leaves and weak flowering. Choose a site with full sun. Some species tolerate some shade, but the full sun is the ideal place for growth and flowering. Protect them from frost and let them cool slightly.
There are many varieties of thorns. Some are small and grow to 6-10 inches in height and width, while others can grow up to 4 feet in height and width. Be sure to choose one that has a developmental style that is relevant to your location. This is especially ugly when planted together and cut into squares or circles to keep within bounds.
Consider translating an annual flower bed into a thorny crown for a long-lasting flower show. They are drought-resistant and require little care. Adjust the gap according to the selected difference. Some gardeners try to make the crowns of thorns and thistles very long. I find them growing in the gardens of Florida. Some species look beautiful for three years. Others only last 18 months.
Carol Cloud Bailey is a landscape consultant and gardener. Send inquiries to carol@yard-doc.com or visit www.yard-doc.com for more information.