Dwarf Devil's Backbone is the compact version of the native woody evergreen succulent subsrub with zigzag stems resembling a spine and medium green leaves. Stems with clusters of showy two-lipped red bracts cover small scarlet flowers at the ends bloom from late spring into summer and are followed by fruit capsules. Best shape with afternoon shade and well-drained soils. Good drought tolerance. Broken stems have a mildly poisonous white sap when damaged. Rarely flowers indoors.
Type: |
|
Height: |
0.5' - 1' |
Spread: |
- 0.5’ |
Spacing: |
0.5’ |
USDA Hardiness Zone: |
9 - 11 |
Culture: |
|
Bloom Color: |
Red |
Season of Interest: |
MAINTENANCE NEEDS: Low Maintenance. Wet soils, especially in winter, will kill the plant. Watch for mealybugs and spidermites.
LANDSCAPE USES: Accents or Group Plantings, Borders, Naturalized Areas, Rock Gardens, and Containers.
COMPANION PLANTS: Allium, Hakone Grass, Sedum
IMAGES: Aris riyanto, Arya-euphorbia tithymaloides smallii nana - kukusan Barat 2019 2, CC BY-SA 4.0, (2) Mokkie, Small's Redbird Flower (Euphorbia tithymaloides ssp. smallii 'Nana Compacta') 4, CC BY-SA 4.0, (3) Aris riyanto, Arya-euphorbia tithymaloides smallii nana - kukusan Barat 2019 1, CC BY-SA 4.0
*As plants have ranges in appearance they may not appear as the images shown.