Martin's spurge (Euphorbia × martini 'Waleutiny' TINY TIM)
Dwarf Martin's spurge cultivar Euphorbia × martini 'Waleutiny' TINY TIM thrives in dry soils, offering low maintenance and unique greenish-yellow blooms.
Complete Plant Information
Overview
Euphorbia × martini ‘Waleutiny’ TINY TIM, commonly known as Martin’s spurge, is a highly valued dwarf cultivar perfect for adding structure and low-maintenance interest to small gardens. This selection maintains the attractive, often evergreen foliage and unique floral display characteristic of the hybrid, but in a compact, rounded mound ideal for restricted spaces. Gardeners appreciate Euphorbia × martini ‘Waleutiny’ TINY TIM for its resilience, especially its drought and pest tolerance once established.
The visual appeal of this perennial comes from its striking cup-like flower structures called bracts, which emerge in summer with a yellowish-green hue, sometimes featuring a contrasting red eye. The stems and leaves often carry attractive burgundy-green coloration, ensuring interest extends beyond the primary bloom time. As an herbaceous perennial, it offers reliable performance across USDA Zones 6 through 10.
Despite its ornamental value, prospective growers must exercise caution: all parts of Martin’s spurge exude a toxic milky sap that can cause skin irritation or serious eye damage upon contact. Handling Euphorbia × martini ‘Waleutiny’ TINY TIM requires basic protective gear, but its low overall maintenance and excellent adaptability to poor and dry soils make it a staple for xeriscaping and modern landscape designs.
Fast Facts
- Plant Family: Euphorbiaceae
- Plant Type: Herbaceous perennial
- Hardiness Zones: USDA Zones 6-10
- Size at Maturity:
- Height: 0.5-1 ft
- Spread: 1-1.5 ft
- Bloom Time: June to July
- Bloom Description: Yellowish-green bracts
- Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade
- Water Needs: Dry to medium
- Maintenance Level: Low
How to Grow
For optimal performance, Euphorbia × martini ‘Waleutiny’ TINY TIM demands sharply-drained soil. Plant this species during the spring or fall in locations receiving full sun to light afternoon shade. While it possesses good drought tolerance, providing some supplemental moisture, especially during intense summer dry spells, will keep the foliage looking its best. Avoid planting in areas where winter soil remains wet; excessive moisture during dormancy is often fatal to Martin’s spurge.
Maintenance for this dwarf cultivar is minimal. Fertilization is rarely required, as the plant adapts well to poor, rocky, or sandy soils. The most significant care task involves pruning: pinch the stems back to about six inches immediately following the June to July bloom period. This action promotes a denser, bushier habit for the following season.
Be aware of the plant’s natural defenses whenever performing garden work. Always wear protective gloves when handling Euphorbia × martini ‘Waleutiny’ TINY TIM to protect your skin from the caustic milky sap. This sap requires immediate washing if contact occurs. While generally resistant to deer and rabbits, the sap deters browsing pressure.
Landscape Uses
The compact nature of the ‘TINY TIM’ form makes Martin’s spurge exceptionally versatile. It functions perfectly as a low border plant along walkways, providing year-round structure, especially in warmer zones where it remains evergreen. Its compact size also lends itself beautifully to rock gardens where sharp drainage mimics its native preference.
Euphorbia × martini ‘Waleutiny’ TINY TIM excels when planted in groups to create a unified swath of texture and color contrast against dark mulch or stones. Furthermore, its relatively contained size means it adapts well to container gardening, though excellent drainage via pot selection remains crucial. It pairs effectively with other sun-loving, drought-tolerant perennials like Sedum or ornamental grasses.
Standout Features
Flower Qualities
- Showy
Noteworthy Characteristics
‘Waleutiny’, commonly sold under the trade name of TINY TIM, is a dwarf cultivar discovered in 2000 as a sport on an existing plant. It is significantly shorter than standard Euphorbia x martinii, typically forming a rounded mound only about 12 inches tall and 15 inches wide. The plant features unique flower-like cups formed by yellowish-green petal-like bracts, often containing a contrasting red eye that adds unexpected detail to the summer display.
Tolerances
- Rabbit
- Deer
- Drought
Potential Problems
Martin’s spurge exhibits strong resistance to most common garden afflictions, notably displaying good immunity to powdery mildew, which plagues many other perennials. Gardeners should focus more on environmental conditions—primarily ensuring sharp drainage—rather than worrying about pests or diseases in healthy specimens. The primary concern remains the toxic plant sap; any gardener prone to skin irritation or allergies must use heavy gloves and eye protection when pruning or propagating Euphorbia × martini ‘Waleutiny’ TINY TIM.
Frequently Asked Questions
What hardiness zones is Martin’s spurge suitable for?
Euphorbia × martini ‘Waleutiny’ TINY TIM is reliably hardy in USDA Zones 6 through 10. In Zone 5, provide significant winter protection and root mulch.
How large does Euphorbia × martini ‘Waleutiny’ TINY TIM grow?
This dwarf cultivar typically reaches a height between 0.5 to 1 foot tall, spreading out to form a mound approximately 1 to 1.5 feet wide.
What sun exposure does Martin’s spurge need?
It prefers full sun but will tolerate light or partial shade, making it flexible for various sunny border locations.
When does Euphorbia × martini ‘Waleutiny’ TINY TIM bloom?
This variety flowers reliably from June into July, presenting its distinctive yellowish-green bracts during this period.
Conclusion
The dwarf habit, coupled with drought tolerance and low maintenance requirements, solidifies Euphorbia × martini ‘Waleutiny’ TINY TIM as an indispensable plant for contemporary, water-wise gardening schemes. This compact form of Martin’s spurge provides excellent texture and reliable summer color. Before planting, confirm your local hardiness zone and ensure your soil profile offers the sharp drainage this Euphorbia truly requires.
Companion Planting
Selecting appropriate neighbors is key to maximizing the appeal of Euphorbia × martini ‘Waleutiny’ TINY TIM. Since this spurge demands dry, well-draining conditions and full to partial sun, pair it with other Mediterranean-climate plants that share similar needs. Excellent companions include various ornamental Salvias, lavender (Lavandula species), and tough succulents like Sedum or Sempervivum. This grouping creates a tapestry of contrasting textures suitable for a sunny, dry border that requires minimal supplemental summer watering.
Seasonal Care Calendar
For Zone 5 gardeners, late autumn should involve applying a thick layer of protective mulch around the root zone of your Euphorbia × martini ‘Waleutiny’ TINY TIM to mitigate harsh winter freezes. In mid-spring, just as new growth emerges, apply your post-flowering pruning. Pinch back the flowering stems to about 6 inches high; this encourages a dense, bushy shape that prevents the plant from becoming leggy through the summer months. In the heat of summer in hotter zones, brief supplemental watering can refresh the plant, but always allow the soil to dry out thoroughly between applications.
