GV Gardeners: Everyone needs a gopher in the garden

The gophers are showing off once again, and we are not talking about four-legged furry tunnel builders! Have you noticed clumps of strangely shaped plants waving their stacked, bright chartreuse flower stalks around? This unique member of the euphorbia family, though a bit gaudy, is a late winter delight in any landscape.

Euphorbia rigida is a perennial plant most commonly known here as “gopher plant.” With its thick silver leaves spiraling up branches that rise and fall along the ground, it creates an architecturally interesting shape even when not in bloom. Flowers start appearing in late winter and last throughout spring.

The gopher flower is actually a tiny, creamy yellow one held within the large showy chartreuse bracts. The term bracts refers to modified leaves growing just below the flower. Sometimes bracts are green, but often they are so colorful that they are thought to be flower petals. Poinsettia (Euphorbia pulcherrima) is another example of this arrangement with its red, white, pink, etc. bracts and small yellow flowers.

Some gopher plants have leaves that are blush or pink, adding additional color. In the rock garden, spilling over a wall, or in a bright ceramic container, they are especially eye-catching.

A native of South Africa, gopher plants are found throughout the Mediterranean, Morocco to Portugal to Turkey and Iran. They are cold-hardy down to 10 degrees Fahrenheit, yet have adapted well to our desert heat and are drought-tolerant.

Gopher plants can be planted directly into the ground, or propagated by seed or cuttings. Many are volunteers from seed that was carried or blown in from nearby plants. They do best in sandy, rocky, well-drained soil, often not surviving in heavy wet soil. Planting in full sun is acceptable, preferably with light afternoon shade.

After flowering, seeds ripen, stems turn brown and die back. At this point, the old flower stalks should be removed back to the base. New stems will soon begin to take their place, and once again there will be a unique silver mound.

Some gardeners see the prolific self-seeding of the gopher plant as problematic. Generally, this is not such a problem that the plants become invasive. One alternative is to remove the flower heads before they start to drop seed. This can require careful observation, monitoring the seed maturity.

Many gardeners think that the “pop up” plants occasionally appearing in unexpected parts of the landscape, add a welcome punch of form and color. Surprise plants can amaze, and almost without exception, thrive better where the plant itself has chosen to be!

The euphorbia family is a large group of succulents, always unique in shape and growing habits. All have a white sap contained within the stems. This is toxic and can become irritating to the skin. Never touch the eyes while trimming these plants.

It is not necessary to avoid this special family of plants… just be a careful gardener when handling them. Wear gloves and thoroughly clean tools when finished. Most folks have no reaction to this sap, but why take the chance?

Gopher plants can be considered a curiosity and with their interesting color, are a great addition to the late winter landscape. Some gardeners consider them a harbinger of spring. Bees welcome their sweetness, and the rest of us simply enjoy their bright presence. This is one type of gopher that should be welcomed into our gardens!

Mary Kidnocker is a Master Gardener who writes frequently about the subject from a local perspective. Her columns are featured each Sunday.