Not Exactly Cary Grant

Have you ever seen a plant in a garden book or magazine that you just had to have?  Even when you didn't know the plant's name?  And you hoped upon hope that it grew in your zone?  And that you could eventually find one?

Well, that's what happened to me when I first saw the unusual Euphorbia plant (cushion spurge).  I didn't know what it was, but I thought it was beautiful.  Well, maybe not beautiful, but striking.  Not exactly handsome in the traditional way, like Cary Grant.  But definitely mesmerizing.  Like Johnny Depp.

After years of seeing this plant in my favorite gardening book, I had little hope of having one in my garden.  But you never know what surprises await at the garden center!

Euphorbia 'Blackbird'

Sure enough, suddenly one day, there he was!  Not decked out in finery, just the regular black plastic pot.  With not an admirer in the place - except me.  I couldn't believe my luck.  I had found my elusive plant - the euphorbia.  'Blackbird' was its name, and I ran to it like I was going to plant a big kiss on its leaves.  (I didn't.) (It's poisonous.)

A slight hesitation to make sure it grew in my zone (it did!), and I greedily put it in my cart.  I looked around and found another, 'Ascot Rainbow', for insurance, and proudly planted them in my garden.

Euphorbia 'Ascot Rainbow'

I never tire of seeing these beautiful euphorbias.  They stay evergreen for me, bloom with the most unusual flowers, and basically just look absolutely stunning.  When visitors come, they are always a bit surprised, but quite delighted, with the remarkable - and handsome  - foliage of this most striking plant.  If there were a Hollywood Walk of Fame for flowers, you can bet this plant would be on it.

And if the plant isn't odd enough for you, check out its most curious flowers.  In the 'Blackbird' picture above, you will notice two little seed pods in each bloom that are not opened.  In the picture below, you will clearly see that these seed pods have opened (the seeds get flung out when ripe).  It looks like two extra blooms coming out of each bloom.  I don't know about other types of cushion spurge, but these two are not invasive.  I have never seen any baby Euphorbias coming up.

Euphorbia 'Ascot Rainbow'

Euphorbia 'Blackbird' and 'Ascot Rainbow' grow to around 2 ft. tall, in zones 6 through 9.  If you like something a bit different, something that may garner its own paparazzi, and you're lucky enough to find one or two, you should try this at home.

Do you like unusual plants?  Or would you rather stay with the Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan type flowers?  (You know, very nice and adorably cute.)