THE fresh new foliage of the Crown Imperials vies with that of Phuopsos stylosa in providing a sharp, aggressive, foxy smell in contrast with the more alluring sweet scents of spring. Those unfamiliar with either are usually taken by surprise, not expecting such a strong aroma from a plant. Meantime the first yellow flush of spring - the carpeting winter aconites tempered by the white and green of snowdrops and the mauves and purples of crocuses - is passing and being replaced by profusions of daffodils. Their cheery brightness is welcome and warming after the drabness of winter and they carry us boldly, and perhaps a little stridently occasionally, into the fullness of spring.
Everywhere the earliest leaves and shoots of herbaceous plants are making pleasing tones juxtaposed with the yellow blooms. There is pleasure in the varied greens, the cleanliness and newness of the foliage of day lilies, pale and eyecatching in the assorted greens of phlox, or the dark shades of the leaves of asters and chrysanthemums. None of these in the normal routine of the garden would be rated highly as foliage plants, but right now they may be so regarded and their gentle subtleties add a backdrop to more dramatic things.
Not all is green: the silvery woolly leaves of lambs lugs - Stachya byzantina - make a nice show, and familiarity should not make us disparage the plant. How different is the newly emerged patch of Euphorbia sikkimensis. A valuable plant, it is now in its first season as the new shoots cluster and glow with a surprising warmth awaiting the signal to move into active growth. For several weeks the shoots remain an inch or two above ground level, in glowing tones of pink, red and beetroot, leaves and stems sharing the colouring. Not quite what we expect in spring - this richness more usually suggests autumn. When the ground warms up properly, the stems will stretch and as the plant grows and develops the spring colour is diluted more and more into green.
Pleasant enough it will be later on, if not eyecatching until it settles into flowering after mid summer. We do not see this Himalayan native hyped much as a plant for the herbaceous border, but that is its proper place and while the temptation may be to place it in a frontal position where the spring colour will be enjoyed, it needs to be set further back. Eventually this spurge reaches three feet in height; and the root runs a bit, but not aggressively, so it will be ideal in the middle or to the back among things of similar height, I am struck every July and August by its long flowering period, and by its easy use as a blender and mixer among summer flowers, phloxes, daisies, golden rods etc.
The flower heads are a lime yellow, a useful soft colouring at a time when too many strong yellows would like to dominate and upset the show. In nice mixed company it is a charmer, and it, needs that summer company to bring out its best. Stuck in a corner on its own, it would be like any prospective party -goer who had been abandoned. A sunny border is the place for it and happily it does not usually need staking.
A relative which can almost make a party on its own and can quickly help pull together a disheveled crew is Euphorbia choracias. While many plants will only be as good, as the associates: we give them, this one is different. It will take over in its own way and work hard to make the show. It has presence and can justly be termed an architectural plant, a first rate friend. The plant grows to about three feet in height and as much in width. The stiff stems produce whorls of narrow bluish green leaves. It has a vigorous shrubby appearance and, happily, is evergreen; nevertheless it is strictly a herbaceous plant. A Mediterranean native, there are several subspecies and forms around. So I would say buy a good one when you see it.
The flowers are opening now on many of them. The upright stems have slightly inclined and bowed heads in spring which quickly come to attention, lifting up to produce whorls of green or lime green flowers, depending on the form. Near a wall or gate or door, or perhaps placed on a corner, this spurge will make a firm and welcome statement. As flower heads fade in early summer the old stems can be carefully cut out. A word of warning spurges produce a milky sap which can be an irritant. So be careful just as you would with a knife.