Must Have Perennials heats up with Euphorbia ‘Bonfire’

The Spurge, Euphorbia ‘Bonfire’ (USPP#18585, PBR), comes to Rozanne and Friends from Mary Ann Faria, Owner of Limerock Plant Farm in Lincoln, Rhode Island. Her breeding goal was to create a new Euphorbia with red-colored leaves that remain all season long—not just in the fall as other Euphorbia varieties do. Its uniqueness earned it a place in the hearts of many Coloradoans, as it was featured as a Top-performing Perennial for both 2008 & 2009 at Colorado State University.

‘Bonfire’ has a compact, mounded habit and is free branching. New foliage is green but quickly turns to dark red-purple for the rest of the season. Bright yellow-red floral bracts in tight clusters provide a striking contrast for a long time in spring.

For growers

Typically plant 1 liner per quart or 2-3 liners for 6 to 8-inch (1 gallon) pots
Plant in late summer and allow plants to bulk before vernalization. Overwinter outdoors or inside cold greenhouses. Allow plants to emerge and flower with naturally occurring spring temperatures. This method provides larger plants, more uniformity and more flowers.
Alternatively, plant vernalized liners in March and April. Plants will not be as uniform, full or as floriferous as in bulked, overwintered crops.
Media pH: 5.8 to 6.2; media EC: 1 to 1.5 mmhos/cm (saturated paste).
Watch for: spider mites, thrips, botrytis.
Allow plants to dry, but not wilt, between irrigations to prevent root and stem rot.

For more information:
Must Have Perennials
www.musthaveperennials.com