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

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.

How Many Bonfire Spurge Do I Need?

Bonfire Spurge matures to a 12–18 inch mound; space plants 14–16 inches apart for a connected ribbon of burgundy foliage:

For accent dots of dark foliage, plant in groups of 3–5.

Bonfire Spurge Season-by-Season in Minnesota

• Spring: Burgundy-purple foliage emerges, then lights up with glowing chartreuse-yellow flower bracts in late spring — the season's electric peak.
• Summer: Bracts fade and the leaves deepen to fiery red-burgundy, holding rich color in the heat.
• Fall: Foliage intensifies to its most saturated reds before frost.
• Winter: Dies back to the ground; cut spent stems and it returns reliably each spring.

At a Glance

✔ Pollinator-Friendly   ✔ Deer-Resistant   ✔ Drought-Tolerant

Plant It With

• Dark Matter Salvia — deep violet-blue spikes that pop against the burgundy leaves
• Little Bluestem — airy native grass for a hot, dry, deer-proof border
• Biokovo Cranesbill — a low deer-resistant groundcover with a long bloom season
• Sombrero Granada Gold Coneflower — warm gold daisies for sunny, drought-tough company

Is Bonfire Spurge Right for Your Yard?

Bonfire Spurge wants full to part sun and sharp drainage, where its milky sap makes it one of the most reliably deer- and rabbit-proof perennials you can plant. Skip it on soggy or heavy wet sites — wet winter soil is the main cause of loss — and wear gloves, since the sap can irritate skin.