May's Flower of the Month
Diamond Frost
(Euphorbia hypericifolia 'Inneuphdia')
Diamond Frost ™
A relative newcomer to the gardening scene is winning awards all over the country. The scientific name of this captivating plant is Euphorbia hypericifolia ‘Inneuphdia’. Lucky for us, the growers and distributors of this plant, gave it the trade name of Diamond Frost. The plant is a cousin of the poinsettia, but you’d never know it judging by appearances. The plant produces delicate, gray-green foliage with tiny white blossoms that are held above the foliage, much like baby’s breath. Growing to a mature height of 12 to 18 inches, it produces a frothy drift of white blooms that complements the front of any border.
The new Euphorbia originated in Gensingen, Germany, as a whole plant mutation of an unpatented and unnamed specimen of Euphorbia hipercifolia in the spring of 2004. The sport or mutation garnered particular notice because it differed significantly from its parent. For one thing, the plants were more uniform and more freely branching. In addition, flowers were smaller and more abundant. Growers took cuttings of the plant and discovered that it kept its desirable characteristics through many generations. The rest is history.
Culture
Diamond Frost is both heat and drought tolerant, and it blooms constantly during the summer. Given full sun to partial shade and well-drained soil, it will bloom from spring until freezing temperature cuts it down in the winter.
Plant Diamond Frost in the landscape about 10 to 12 inches apart for a mound of frothy blossoms. Since the blooms are so tiny, they are the perfect companion to almost any other plant that grows in the garden. They are also the perfect choice to round out a container garden or hanging basket and give it a delicate touch. You may have seen them during the Christmas season combined in containers with poinsettias. They made the poinsettias seem to be nested in a bed of white frost.
While Diamond Frost is a perennial in Zone 10, we in colder zones must grow it as an annual or move it indoors during cold weather. If moved to the greenhouse or to a sunny window, they should continue to bloom throughout the winter. Come spring, cut them back, move them outside, and expect another season of bloom.
Other Euphorbias
Euphorbias as a group are interesting because of their atypical flower form. What appears to be the flower petals are actually parts of the leaf structure (bracts), and it is these bracts that give the plants their color. While the flowers themselves are small and fleeting, the colorful bracts hold their color for many months.
Several other members of the Euphorbia family are familiar to many of us. The most popular container plant in history, the poinsettia (Euphorbia pulcherrima), is a member of the family. Castor bean (Ricinus communis) is the most deadly spurge. The invasive Chinese tallow tree (Sapium sebiferum) is another all-to-familiar member of the family. The Crown of Thorns (Euphorbia millii) that has won best of show in Valparaiso Garden Club’s flower show for the past two years, is a beautiful addition to the clan. The colorfully leaved crotons (Codiaeum variegatum) are some of my personal favorites.
List of Awards won by Diamond Frost
Best New Performers-Oklahoma State University
Best of Trials-University of Florida
Excellent Rating-Massachusetts Horticultural Society
Leader of the Pack-North Carolina State University
Superior-Colorado State University
Top 10-Auburn University
Top 5 Performer-Pennsylvania State University
Top Five Performer-Ohio State University
Top Performer-Kansas State University
Top Performer-Mississippi State University 2004 and 2005
Top Performer-Norfolk Botanical Garden
Top Pick-Dallas Arboretum