Gold At The End Of A Rainbow

A Golden Planting Scheme with Euphorbia ‘Ascot Rainbow’ and Carex oshimensis ‘Everillo‘

In gardening, creating a captivating planting scheme requires careful consideration of various elements. One essential aspect is the foliage of the plants. Today, I want to shine a spotlight on two extraordinary plants: Euphorbia ‘Ascot Rainbow’ and Carex oshimensis ‘Everillo’. These plants not only possess stunning foliage on their own but also complement each other perfectly when planted side by side.

A rainbow of foliage colour

Euphorbia ‘Ascot Rainbow’ truly lives up to its name. With its variegated leaves boasting an array of colors, including vibrant greens, yellow-golds, and hints of deep red, this euphorbia adds a burst of brightness to any garden. Its upright habit and compact size make it a versatile choice for both pots and borders. Moreover, it’s a low maintenance plant that thrives in both sun and partial shade. I love it! I have a number of them planted in the garden, their repeated shape and foliage gives structure to the planting scheme all through the year.

The mass of golden flowers produced in Spring are a bonus, they last for months and I have often seen the plants buzzing with honey bees.

A golden sedge

Beside the Euphorbia stands its perfect counterpart, Carex oshimensis ‘Everillo’. This vibrant grass-like perennial features narrow, arching lime-green leaves that transition to a striking golden hue as they mature. With its cascading growth habit, it adds a captivating visual texture, creating a perfect contrast to the more upright and compact Euphorbia ‘Ascot Rainbow’.

Great partnership

When planted side by side, Euphorbia ‘Ascot Rainbow’ and Carex oshimensis ‘Everillo’ create a harmonious combination that is a sight to behold. The juxtaposition of their vibrant gold tones against the Euphorbia’s multi-colored palette makes for a truly eye-catching display. They enhance each other’s beauty and create a dynamic focal point in any garden or landscape.

Resilience and adaptability

Aside from their striking appearance, both plants are also known for their resilience and adaptability. Euphorbia ‘Ascot Rainbow’ is drought-tolerant, while Carex oshimensis ‘Everillo’ thrives in both sun and shade. This makes them a perfect duo that can withstand various growing conditions and provide consistent beauty throughout the seasons.

The complementary foliage of Euphorbia ‘Ascot Rainbow’ and Carex oshimensis ‘Everillo’ highlights the importance of incorporating diverse textures and colors into a planting scheme. The combination of upright and cascading growth habits, as well as the multi-colored and golden foliage, adds depth and interest to any garden. It also provides an opportunity for creative experimentation with different plant pairings and arrangements.

Both these plants will also work well in containers and raised beds, they look great all year.

Whether you are a seasoned gardener or just starting on your green journey, these two plants are sure to captivate your attention and elevate your planting scheme to new heights. By planting Euphorbia ‘Ascot Rainbow’ and Carex oshimensis ‘Everillo’ together, you’ll create a dazzling display of gold, enhancing the beauty of your garden while adding a touch of magic comparable to finding gold at the end of a rainbow.

Euphorbia ‘Ascot Rainbow’

Size: Reaches a height of 30-40 cm (12-16 inches) and spreads about 30-45 cm (12-18 inches).

Growth Type: Compact, mound-forming perennial.

Soil Type: Well-draining soil with average fertility.

Hardiness: Hardy in USDA zones 5-8 (temperatures as low as -15°C or 5°F).

Foliage: Variegated leaves with shades of green, cream, and pink.

Flowers: Small, bright colourful bracts surround inconspicuous flowers in spring and early summer. Loved by honey bees!

Drought Tolerance: Moderately drought-tolerant once established.

Aspect: Full sun to partial shade.

Carex oshimensis ‘Everillo‘

Size: Grows up to 30-40 cm (12-16 inches) in height and spread.

Growth Type: Clump-forming perennial grass with arching, golden-yellow foliage.

Soil Type: Prefers moist, well-draining soil but tolerates a range of soil conditions.

Hardiness: Hardy in USDA zones 5-9 (temperatures as low as -23°C or -10°F).

Foliage: Bright, golden-yellow leaves that provide year-round interest.

Flowers: Insignificant brown flowers on tall spikes in late spring to early summer.

Aspect : Full sun to part shade.

Uses: Great as a groundcover, edging, or container plant, providing vibrant color contrast.

Plant Care Tip

Pruning Euphorbia ‘Ascot Rainbow’: in summer when the main flowering has finished, cut out all the stems that have flowered. This will leave the plant a bit bare for a few weeks, but it will quickly regro shoots from the base to recreate the nica rounded shape.

!!! Wear gloves and long sleeves, keep your skin covered while handling the plant. Euphorbia have a white sap that can cause skin irritation and even blisters during sunny weather. I have never suffered from any ill effects, just don’t get the sap on your skin, and don’t rub your eyes!