Euphorbia mellifera AGM

This is a member of the spurge family and native to Madeira and the Canary Islands hence its common name of Canary Spurge. Its flowers are not eye-catchingly beautiful but do have a distinct honey scent, hence its name ‘mellifera’ from the Latin word ‘mel’ meaning honey. From that Latin word we also get words such as mellifluous and the name Melissa. It looks rather exotic and does best in a sunny, sheltered site, however, it is in fact fast-growing and frost hardy. Beware: the milky sap of all Euphorbias can irritate the skin.

Cultivation: the flowering shoots can be cut back to ground level in late summer or early autumn. Divide by cuttings but dip the cut ends in either charcoal or lukewarm water to prevent bleeding of the milky sap.