Botanical Name: Euphorbia hybrid ‘Glacier Blue’

Common Name: Spurge

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

Size: 16–20" Tall × 18–24" Spread

Growth Habit: Upright to Mounding, Well-Branched Habit

Sunlight: Full Sun to Partial Shade

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

Water Needs: Low to Moderate; Drought Tolerant Once Established

Bloom Season: Late Spring through Summer

Fertilizer: Minimal; Avoid Excess Fertility

Features: Blue-Green Foliage, Icy White and Pale Blue Bracts, Long Bloom Season, Deer Resistant

Uses: Borders, Pollinator Gardens, Containers, Modern Landscapes, Low-Maintenance Plantings

Patent: ✔ Patented

Propagation: ❌ Propagation Prohibited Without License

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

More About Euphorbia ‘Glacier Blue’

‘Glacier Blue’ has a refined presence that immediately sets it apart from many of the louder, more Euphorbia varieties. The foliage carries a cool blue-green tone that almost feels powdery in certain light, and when the pale, icy white bracts rise above it in late Spring, the whole plant seems to glow. It’s not flashy in a loud way. It’s sophisticated. The bracts have a soft, frosted look to them, sometimes kissed with the faintest hint of blue, and they create a luminous effect that brightens a planting without stealing the show. This variety forms a compact, upright clump that typically reaches around 18 to 24 inches tall, holding itself neatly without flopping. The branching is balanced and symmetrical, which gives it a clean architectural quality that works beautifully in structured borders. 

Unlike older Euphorbias that have a short bloom window and then fade into the background, ‘Glacier Blue’ holds its bracts for an extended period. Even after peak bloom, the foliage remains crisp and attractive, continuing to provide contrast and shape well into Summer. The leaves are narrow, slightly leathery, and arranged in a dense canopy that gives the plant substance. In mixed plantings, that blue-green tone acts as a cooling agent among brighter colors. When surrounded by hot pinks, oranges, or reds, it calms everything down. When paired with whites and silvers, it elevates the entire palette into something that feels intentional and professionally designed. It’s one of those plants that quietly improves the garden as a whole.

Why We Like It (Our Trials)

In our Upstate South Carolina trials, ‘Glacier Blue’ has proven to be remarkably steady and dependable. It handles full sun, reflected heat, or partial afternoon shade without complaint. Once established, it tolerates dry spells extremely well, and its foliage color remains strong instead of bleaching out or turning dull under stress. That consistency matters, especially when you’re recommending plants to customers who may not have ideal soil conditions. What has impressed me most is its structural reliability. It keeps its upright habit without constant pruning or staking. Even during heavy Spring rains, it holds its form, and in the thick humidity of mid-Summer, it doesn’t melt down like some more delicate selections. 

The cool blue tones pair effortlessly with lavenders, salvias, ornamental grasses, and dark-leaf Heuchera. I’ve used it next to deep purple foliage and silver Artemisia, and the combination feels layered and intentional. It works just as well in contemporary, minimalist landscapes as it does in classic cottage borders. That kind of flexibility is rare. As with most Euphorbias, deer consistently leave it alone in our trials. When you combine deer resistance, drought tolerance, extended bloom, and strong architectural structure, you get a plant that quietly overperforms. ‘Glacier Blue’ isn’t flashy for the sake of being flashy. It’s dependable, polished, and easy to design with, and those are qualities I value more every year.

Glacier Blue vs. Other Euphorbia Varieties

Glacier Blue is the most subtle and calming Euphorbia in the collection, prized for its cool blue-green foliage and soft chartreuse spring bracts. Compared to Tasmanian Tiger Euphorbia, Glacier Blue is quieter and more harmonious, offering balance instead of contrast. It blends naturally into borders rather than demanding attention, making it ideal for cottage gardens and layered plantings. Against Ascot Rainbow and Bonfire, it feels restrained and soothing, helping to unify more colorful plantings.

When placed next to Blackbird, Glacier Blue acts as a cooling counterpoint to dark intensity. The foliage maintains a refined, understated look throughout the season, providing structure without visual noise. Unlike Diamond Frost, it contributes calm structure rather than airy bloom. Gardeners choose Glacier Blue for its soothing color and ability to tie diverse plantings together.