Bonfire Spurge
Bonfire Spurge
Burgundy Foliage and Electric Spring Color in One Tough Plant
Bonfire Spurge (Euphorbia polychroma 'Bonfire') is a season-long color machine — a tidy mound of deep burgundy-purple foliage topped with glowing chartreuse-yellow flower bracts in late spring, when the contrast is electric. The leaves intensify to fiery red tones through the season and into fall. Drought-tough and deer-proof, it brings dependable structure and color to sunny borders in Edina, Woodbury, and Maple Grove.
Bonfire Spurge Plant Details
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Botanical Name | Euphorbia polychroma 'Bonfire' |
| Mature Size | 12–18 in. tall, 12–18 in. wide |
| Hardiness Zone | 4–9 (Twin Cities is zone 4b–5a — fully hardy) |
| Light | Full sun to part sun |
| Bloom Time | Late spring (chartreuse bracts) |
| Foliage Color | Burgundy-purple, deepening to red |
| Soil | Well-drained; tolerates lean soil and clay if not soggy |
| Winter Hardiness | Reliable to about -25°F once established |
| Deer Resistance | Strongly deer- and rabbit-resistant (milky sap) |
Landscape Uses
Front-of-border color and structure: The dark foliage is a perfect foil for brighter perennials all season, not just in bloom. Space 14–16 inches apart in drifts.
Deer-resistant, low-water beds: Its milky sap makes it one of the most reliably deer-proof perennials, and it thrives in hot, well-drained spots. Pair with catmint, salvia, and ornamental grasses.
Best Time to Plant in Minnesota
Plant in spring (late April–May) or early fall (late August–mid September). It needs sharp drainage — avoid soggy sites, especially over winter.
How to Plant Bonfire Spurge
Dig a hole twice the pot's width at the same depth. Amend heavy clay with compost or grit for drainage. Set the crown level, backfill, water in, and mulch lightly, keeping mulch off the crown. Space 14–16 inches apart. Wear gloves — the sap can irritate skin.
Watering Bonfire Spurge
First year: Water every 2–3 days at first, then weekly. Stop 2–3 weeks before the ground freezes.
After year one: Drought-tolerant — water only during extended dry spells. Overwatering and soggy soil are its main enemies.
Q: Is the sap a concern?
Yes — like all euphorbias, the milky sap can irritate skin and eyes. Wear gloves when cutting or handling, and keep it away from where children and pets dig.
Q: Will it survive a Minnesota winter?
Yes — hardy to zone 4 with good drainage. Avoid wet winter soil, which is the main cause of loss.
Q: Is it really deer-resistant?
Very — the sap makes it one of the most dependable deer- and rabbit-proof perennials.
Q: Does the foliage stay colorful all season?
Yes — burgundy foliage holds and deepens to red through summer and fall, long after the spring bracts fade.
You May Also Like
Catmint (Nepeta): Blue spikes that pop against the dark foliage.
Blanket Flower (Gaillardia): Warm daisies for a hot, dry, deer-resistant border.
Hardy Geranium (Cranesbill): A deer-resistant companion with a long bloom season.