July 6th - July 13th
AFTER mid summer many of the Euphorbia or spurge family begin to look jaded. Euphorbia robbiae and E. characias especially need to have old flower stems removed completely. Here a secateurs is essential as there is not point in trying to pull or break stems without it. Removing old flowers will immediately tidy up the plants and allow air and space for essential new growth.
Care must he taken in this operation a the stems of spurges produce a milky white sap which can be an irritant causing a rash or even temporary blindness. Common sense is all that is required in dealing with these plants. Likewise with rue, the foliage can cause a rash when brushed on bare skin in sunlight. Care needs to be taken in clipping rue. A host of plants such as the poor giant hog weed can cause problems in this way, but there is no necessity for a witch hunt against them. Reasonable care and respect for nature is required rather than a hysterical reaction.