Euphorbia ‘Ruby Glow’

A striking evergreen Euphorbia with rich burgundy foliage and vivid spring colour.

Euphorbia ‘Ruby Glow’ is a compact, architectural perennial grown as much for its foliage as its flowers. The narrow leaves emerge in deep ruby-red and burgundy shades, developing darker purple tones that provide colour and contrast for much of the year. In spring, bright lime-green flower bracts appear above the foliage, creating a particularly striking combination. The flowers are also useful to early pollinators.

This Euphorbia thrives in full sun and well-drained soil, where its foliage develops its richest colouring. Once established it is drought tolerant and requires very little attention, forming a neat, naturally rounded clump that works beautifully towards the front or middle of a sunny border, gravel garden or contemporary planting scheme.

• Height: Approx. 40–50cm

• Spread: Approx. 40–50cm

• Position: Full sun

• Soil: Well-drained

• Flowering: Spring into early summer

• Flower colour: Lime-green bracts

• Foliage: Deep burgundy, ruby-red and purple

• Habit: Compact, bushy and architectural

• Hardiness: Hardy in well-drained soil

• Wildlife: Attractive to early pollinators

• Care: Low maintenance and drought tolerant once established

• Caution: Milky sap can irritate skin and eyes, so wear gloves when cutting

🌿 Note for Isle of Wight planting

A great choice for sunny, dry Isle of Wight gardens, particularly where free-draining soil and summer drought can make other plants struggle. Good drainage over winter is important, so on heavier Island soils consider planting slightly raised and incorporating grit or organic matter to improve drainage.

🌿 Ideal Companion Plants from The Green Standard Range

• Gaura ‘Whirling Butterflies’ – airy white flowers lighten the dark burgundy foliage and add movement.

• Nepeta ‘Walker's Low’ – soft violet-blue flowers create a lovely contrast and share the same preference for sunny, drier conditions.

• Festuca glauca ‘Elijah Blue’ – compact blue-grey grass that emphasises the rich ruby foliage while keeping the planting neat.

• Salvia ‘Caradonna’ – dark stems and violet flowers continue the strong purple tones while adding vertical structure.

• Achillea ‘The Pearl’ – clusters of white flowers provide a fresh contrast without competing with the foliage.

• Sedum ‘Iceberg’ – fleshy foliage and white late-summer flowers extend the season of interest and suit similarly dry conditions.

🌟 The Green Standard Tip

Plant ‘Ruby Glow’ where the sun can catch its foliage, as brighter conditions encourage the strongest ruby and burgundy colouring. Leave the evergreen growth in place through winter and remove old flowering stems carefully when they begin to fade, always wearing gloves because of the irritating sap.