Botanical Name: Euphorbia × martinii ‘Ascot Rainbow’

Common Name: Euphorbia, Spurge

Hardiness Zone: Perennial in Most Climates (USDA Zones 6–10)

Size: 18–24" Tall × 18–24" Spread

Growth Habit: Upright, Clump-Forming, Well-Branched Habit

Sunlight: Full Sun to Partial Shade

Soil: Prefers Well-Drained Soil; Tolerates Poor or Rocky Soils

Water Needs: Low to Moderate; Drought Tolerant Once Established

Bloom Season: Spring

Fertilizer: Minimal; Avoid Excess Fertility

Features: Blue-Green Leaves with Creamy Yellow Margins, Pink Blushed Bracts in Spring, Evergreen Foliage, Deer Resistant

Uses: Ideal for Borders, Mixed Perennial Beds, Containers, Foundation Plantings, and Modern Landscapes

Patent: ✔ Patented

Propagation: ❌ Propagation Prohibited Without License

See our complete Euphorbia Growth & Care Guide for full care details.

More About Euphorbia ‘Ascot Rainbow’

Euphorbia 'Ascot Rainbow' is one of those Euphorbias that quietly carries a garden twelve months out of the year. The blue-green foliage edged in creamy yellow gives it built-in brightness, and in Spring those chartreuse bracts, often brushed with soft pink, light up the plant without overpowering its clean structure. I love that it brings color without looking loud or overly showy. It feels refined, architectural, and intentional, almost like it was placed exactly where it belongs no matter the season.

Unlike many flowering perennials that have a short peak and then fade into the background, ‘Ascot Rainbow’ earns its keep in every season. In mild climates, the foliage stays evergreen, which makes it incredibly valuable for Winter structure. Even when not in bloom, it holds a tight, upright form that anchors nearby plantings and prevents beds from looking flat or empty. That kind of four-season reliability is hard to find, especially in a plant that also brings strong Spring color.

Why We Like It (Our Trials)

In our trials, ‘Ascot Rainbow’ has proven exceptionally dependable in well-drained soil with full sun to light shade. Once established, it handles heat, drought, and even less-than-perfect soil without losing its tidy habit or vibrant variegation. I rarely have to fuss with it, which says a lot for a plant that looks this polished. It performs consistently without flopping, thinning out, or demanding constant pruning to keep its shape.

Design-wise, it is incredibly versatile. I use it as a container centerpiece, in structured perennial borders, and even as a repeating rhythm plant in modern landscapes where consistency matters. It pairs beautifully with ornamental grasses, lavender, salvia, and other drought-tolerant companions that appreciate similar conditions. Deer typically leave it alone, which only adds to its value in real-world landscapes. When you plant it once, you start finding excuses to use it again in other parts of the garden.

Ascot Rainbow vs. Other Euphorbia Varieties

Ascot Rainbow stands out for its multi-season color and expressive foliage, blending blue-green leaves with creamy margins and warm pink, red, and orange tones as temperatures cool. Compared to Tasmanian Tiger Euphorbia, Ascot Rainbow is warmer and more playful, though less crisp in contrast. When paired with Glacier Blue, Ascot Rainbow becomes the more expressive partner, adding energy to calm plantings.

Against Blackbird and Bonfire, it feels lighter and more colorful, while those varieties bring depth and intensity. This constant color evolution gives it movement and personality, making borders feel more dynamic over time. Unlike Diamond Frost, it contributes presence and mass rather than airy texture. Gardeners love Ascot Rainbow for its shifting color and ability to keep plantings visually interesting all year.