Euphorbia trigona ‘Rubra’ – Red African Milk Tree
Euphorbia trigona ‘Rubra’ – Red African Milk Tree
Evergreen · Full Sun / Part Shade
Mature size: 2m–4m high × 1m–2m wide
- Evergreen
- Full Sun / Part Shade
- Mature height2m–4m
- Mature width1m–2m
- Frost Sensitive
- Good in pots
- Flowers
Rich burgundy-red stems and foliage create dramatic year-round colour and architectural structure.
Regular price
$650.00
Sale price
$650.00
Regular price
Tax included.
Shipping calculated at checkout.
Pot size
Available batches
- Current height guide
- Please enquire
- Pot size
- 30cm/33cm
Approximate only. Minimum height important? Confirm with us.
Height guide & disclaimer
Height guide disclaimer: Height ranges are approximate only. As living products, plant heights naturally vary between individual plants, batches, and seasons. No guarantee is given that supplied plants will fall within the stated range. If minimum heights are required, you must confirm current batch heights with Evergreen Trees Direct prior to purchase. Variation in height is normal and is not grounds for return, refund, replacement, or compensation.
Quantity
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Mature height & width
Mature height & width
- Mature height
- 2m to 4m
- Mature width
- 1m to 2m
Pot sizes & dimensions
Pot sizes & dimensions
| Pot / bag size | Width | Depth |
|---|---|---|
| 30cm Pot | 33cm | 30cm |
| 40cm/45L Pot | 44cm | 41.5cm |
| 50cm Pot / 70L Pot | 55cm | 41.8cm |
| 100L Bag | 50.6cm | 52.8cm |
| 150L Bag | 66cm | 55cm |
| 200L Bag | 71.5cm | 60.5cm |
| 300L Bag | 88cm | 63.8cm |
| 400L Bag | 99cm | 66cm |
| 500L Bag | 122cm | 66cm |
| 750L Bag | 134cm | 69cm |
| 1000L Bag | 146.3cm | 71.5cm |
| 2000L Bag | 176cm | 82.5cm |
General planting reference from our existing size guide. Actual containers can vary by supplier and batch; confirm exact dimensions if required.
Delivery & pickup
Delivery & pickup
Trade enquiries
Trade enquiries
We supply advanced trees to landscapers, developers, architects, and councils Australia-wide. Trade clients receive fast quotes, expert advice, and access to premium stock with reliable freight.
Freight estimate
Based on the items currently in your cart.
Final delivery cost is confirmed at checkout using your full address.
About Euphorbia trigona ‘Rubra’
Euphorbia trigona 'Rubra' is a succulent shrub from central Africa, sold here as the Red African Milk Tree. It grows as a cluster of upright, three sided stems with ridged spined edges and small teardrop leaves along the margins. New growth flushes deep burgundy, which is where the colour in the name comes from.
It wants bright light, a gritty free draining mix and very little water, particularly over the colder months. Growth runs around 20 to 60 centimetres a year in warm conditions. It suits frost free coastal, tropical and subtropical gardens, and is best kept in a pot elsewhere so it can be moved under cover.
Most buyers grow it as an indoor specimen, a verandah plant or part of a courtyard bed with other succulents and gravel. The vertical form reads well against a plain rendered wall. Once potted correctly it asks for almost nothing, which makes it a straightforward choice for low water planting.
Frequently Asked Questions
About Red African Milk Tree
What is a Red African Milk Tree?
Red African Milk Tree is the trade name for Euphorbia trigona 'Rubra', a succulent shrub from central Africa. It grows as a cluster of upright three sided stems with ridged, spined edges and small leaves along the margins. New growth carries a deep burgundy flush, and older stems hold a dark green and red pattern.
How big does Euphorbia trigona 'Rubra' grow?
In a warm frost free garden bed it can reach roughly 2 to 3 metres over many years, spreading slowly as new stems branch from the base. Grown in a pot it usually settles between 1 and 2 metres, which is the size most buyers keep it at. Height is easily controlled by cutting stems back.
How fast does it grow?
It adds about 20 to 60 centimetres a year in warm, bright conditions, slowing almost to a stop through cold or dark periods. Growth is faster in the ground than in a container, and faster again with warmth and strong light. Overwatering does not speed it up, it simply causes the stems to rot.
Does it need sun or shade?
Bright light is essential. Outdoors it wants full sun to very light shade, and indoors it needs the brightest window in the house or it stretches and loses colour. Move plants into strong sun gradually over a week or two, because stems that have been shaded will scorch if they are shifted suddenly.
Is it frost tolerant?
No. Euphorbia trigona is a tropical succulent and frost damages the stems, which turn soft and brown before collapsing. Grow it outdoors only in frost free coastal, tropical and subtropical areas. In cooler districts keep it in a pot that can be moved to a sheltered verandah or indoors over winter.
Is the sap harmful to people and pets?
Yes. Like all euphorbias it bleeds a milky white latex when cut or broken, and that sap irritates skin and is dangerous in the eyes. Wear gloves and eye protection when pruning, wash off any contact promptly, and keep the plant away from small children and animals inclined to chew foliage.
How do I care for a Red African Milk Tree?
Plant it in a gritty free draining succulent mix, water only when the mix has dried right through, and cut watering back hard over winter. It needs no more than a light feed in spring. Prune with gloves on to remove or shorten stems, and let the cuts dry before potting any pieces on.
| Mature height | 2m to 4m |
|---|---|
| Mature width | 1m to 2m |
| Position | Full Sun / Part Shade |
| Growth per year | 20cm to 60cm per year under suitable conditions |
| Frost | Frost Sensitive |
| Foliage | Evergreen (foliage year round) |
| Form | Columnar · Upright |
| Uses | Feature Tree · Plant in Pots (or) Suitable for Pots · Shrubs |
- Foliage
Evergreen (foliage year round)
- Position
- Form
- Use
- Mature height
- 2m to 4m
- Mature width
- 1m to 2m
Planting Information
Recommended Planting Spacing For Your Euphorbia trigona ‘Rubra’ – Red African Milk Tree
Euphorbia trigona ‘Rubra’ – Red African Milk Tree is expected to grow 20cm to 60cm per year under suitable conditions.
Long Term Care For Your Euphorbia trigona ‘Rubra’ – Red African Milk Tree
Planting Your Euphorbia trigona ‘Rubra’ – Red African Milk Tree in Different Soil
Uses in my Garden
Uses in my Garden
Euphorbia trigona ‘Rubra’ – Red African Milk Tree works in an:
Is Euphorbia trigona ‘Rubra’ – Red African Milk Tree Evergreen or Deciduous?
Euphorbia trigona ‘Rubra’ – Red African Milk Tree is an Evergreen (foliage year round) Tree
Mature Height & Width
Mature Height: 2m to 4m
Mature Width: 1m to 2m
Euphorbia trigona ‘Rubra’ – Red African Milk Tree is expected to grow 20cm to 60cm per year under suitable conditions.
Growth Rate of Euphorbia trigona ‘Rubra’ – Red African Milk Tree
Euphorbia trigona ‘Rubra’ – Red African Milk Tree is expected to grow 20cm to 60cm per year under suitable conditions.
They are considered to have a:
Frost Tolerance & Ideal Climate to plant Euphorbia trigona ‘Rubra’ – Red African Milk Tree
Is Euphorbia trigona ‘Rubra’ – Red African Milk Tree frost tolerant?
Euphorbia trigona ‘Rubra’ – Red African Milk Tree is Frost Sensitive – May suffer damage from frost, best in frost-free or protected spots.
Does Euphorbia trigona ‘Rubra’ – Red African Milk Tree Flower?
Euphorbia trigona ‘Rubra’ produces small yellow-green flower structures along mature stems during warmer months. While the blooms are relatively inconspicuous, the plant is primarily valued for its striking burgundy-red stems and foliage that create bold year-round architectural interest.
Does Euphorbia trigona ‘Rubra’ – Red African Milk Tree flower?
Flowering Period:
Flower Type:
Flower Colour:
Yellow
Is Euphorbia trigona ‘Rubra’ – Red African Milk Tree an Australian Native Tree?
No
Euphorbia trigona ‘Rubra’ – Red African Milk Tree is Native to Cultivar of Euphorbia trigona, a species native to Central Africa.
What is the Wildlife Value of Euphorbia trigona ‘Rubra’ – Red African Milk Tree ?
Its small seasonal flowers may attract bees and other beneficial pollinators during the flowering period, supporting biodiversity within dry-climate and ornamental landscapes. The upright branching structure can also provide sheltered microhabitats for beneficial insects in suitable garden settings.
How much Sunlight does Euphorbia trigona ‘Rubra’ – Red African Milk Tree need?
Euphorbia trigona ‘Rubra’ – Red African Milk Tree will thrive best in:
Preferred Soil?
Euphorbia trigona ‘Rubra’ performs best in free-draining sandy or loam soils with a neutral to slightly alkaline pH. It will also tolerate poor soils, rocky sites and container growing provided drainage remains excellent. Avoid heavy clay or persistently wet conditions, as excess moisture can lead to root and stem problems. Allow the soil to dry thoroughly between watering once established to maintain healthy growth, stem colour and long-term vigour.
Is Euphorbia trigona ‘Rubra’ – Red African Milk Tree Drought Tolerant?
Is Euphorbia trigona ‘Rubra’ – Red African Milk Tree Drought tolerant?
As a young plant it benefits from occasional watering to establish a healthy root system, particularly during extended dry periods. Once established, Red African Milk Tree shows exceptional drought tolerance and performs reliably through prolonged dry conditions with little to no supplementary watering.
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Compare sizes side by side
30cm/33cm
Enquire for current heights
Heights are approximate and vary between individual trees.
Euphorbia trigona ‘Rubra’ is loved for its Rich burgundy-red stems and foliage create dramatic year-round colour and architectural structure.
We take pride in supplying A+ grade advanced trees. When stock at our farm is not yet ready, we work with our trusted trade suppliers to source the best available trees for your garden.
Plant Your Euphorbia trigona ‘Rubra’ – Red African Milk Tree With:
Trachelospermum jasminoides Balls – Star Jasmine Balls
Trachelospermum jasminoides Balls – Star Jasmine Balls
Trachelospermum jasminoides 'Balls' is Star Jasmine grown and clipped into a dense evergreen sphere. The small glossy leaves sit tight on a woody framework, holding a clean rounded outline year round. White pinwheel flowers open in spring and carry a strong sweet scent right across a courtyard.
Ball specimens hold at about 1 to 1.5 metres tall and wide with light clipping. Full sun to part shade suits them, in any free draining soil. Growth is slow to moderate at 30 to 50 centimetres a year. They handle coastal exposure, light frost and dry spells once the roots are down.
Repeat them along a driveway, either side of an entry, or in pots on a terrace where a formal shape is wanted straight away. They read as structure in a planting scheme without the height of a hedge, and because the form is already trained, a new garden looks settled from the day it goes in.
Frequently Asked Questions
About Star Jasmine Balls
What are Star Jasmine Balls?
They are Trachelospermum jasminoides, the common Star Jasmine, grown and clipped into a dense evergreen sphere on a woody framework. Instead of climbing, the plant is trained into a self supporting rounded shape. The foliage is small, glossy and dark green, and the plant carries scented white flowers through spring.
How big do Star Jasmine Balls grow?
They hold at roughly 1 to 1.5 metres tall and 1 to 1.5 metres wide. Growth is slow to moderate at 30 to 50 centimetres a year, so a light clip once or twice a year keeps the ball tight at whatever size within that range suits the setting.
Do Star Jasmine Balls need sun or shade?
Full sun to part shade both work. Full sun gives the densest foliage and the heaviest flowering, while part shade produces slightly softer, more open growth and fewer flowers. Avoid deep shade, where the ball thins out and loses its outline. Morning sun with afternoon protection suits hot inland gardens.
Can Star Jasmine Balls be grown in pots?
Yes, and pots are one of the main uses. A container 50 to 60 centimetres wide with a quality free draining mix will hold a ball for years. Water more often than you would in the ground, especially in summer, and feed in spring and again in late summer. Refresh the mix every few years.
Are Star Jasmine Balls evergreen?
Yes, the foliage is held year round. The glossy dark green leaves take on a bronze tinge in cold weather and green up again in spring, but the plant never goes bare. That is what makes it useful as permanent structure in a scheme, particularly in winter once perennials have died back.
When do Star Jasmine Balls flower?
Flowering runs through spring, roughly September to November, and often carries into early summer in warmer districts. The white pinwheel flowers are small but produced in quantity, and the scent is strong on still evenings. Flowering is heaviest on plants in full sun that were not clipped hard just before bud set.
How do I prune and care for Star Jasmine Balls?
Clip lightly with hedging shears once after flowering and again in late summer if needed, taking only the new growth to keep the outline crisp. Water deeply in dry weather, mulch the base, and feed in early spring. The sap is milky and can irritate skin, so wear gloves when trimming.
Trachelospermum jasminoides Balls – Star Jasmine Balls
Westringia fruticosa – Coastal Rosemary
Westringia fruticosa – Coastal Rosemary
Westringia fruticosa, Coastal Rosemary, is an Australian native evergreen shrub from the headlands and dunes of the east coast. It builds a dense rounded bush of fine grey green leaves held in whorls, with small white to pale lilac flowers. Despite the common name it is not the culinary herb.
Mature plants sit at 1.5 to 2 metres tall and 1.5 to 2 metres wide, growing 30 to 60 centimetres a year, and they clip smaller without complaint. Full sun to part shade and sharp drainage are the requirements. Salt wind, sandy soil, drought and light to moderate frost are all handled.
It is a standard on coastal projects, road verges, council garden beds and exposed banks that need erosion cover. Plant 1 to 1.5 metres apart for an informal screen, or 80 centimetres for a clipped hedge. A single plant fills a 40 to 50 centimetre pot on a courtyard or balcony.
Frequently Asked Questions
About Coastal Rosemary
What is Coastal Rosemary?
Westringia fruticosa is an Australian native evergreen shrub from the headlands and dunes of the east coast. It forms a dense rounded bush of fine grey green leaves held in whorls, with small white to pale lilac flowers. Despite the common name it is not culinary rosemary and is not used in cooking.
How big does Coastal Rosemary grow?
Mature plants reach 1.5 to 2 metres tall and 1.5 to 2 metres wide. It clips readily to smaller dimensions and is often maintained at around a metre as a hedge or a low mound. Growth is moderate, roughly 30 to 60 centimetres a year, so it holds a trimmed shape well.
Is Coastal Rosemary suitable for coastal positions?
It is one of the best shrubs available for exposed coastal work. It grows naturally on sea cliffs and copes with salt laden wind, sand and reflected heat. It is used constantly on beachfront reserves, dune stabilisation projects and seaside gardens where little else holds a tidy shape.
When does Coastal Rosemary flower?
The main flush is spring and summer, roughly September through February, with scattered flowering at other times of the year in mild districts. The flowers are small, white to pale lilac and sit among the foliage rather than above it. Clipped hedges flower less than plants left to grow informally.
How far apart should I plant Coastal Rosemary for a hedge?
Space plants 80 centimetres apart for a tight formal hedge, or 1 to 1.5 metres apart for a dense informal screen. On banks and batters used for erosion cover, 1 metre in a staggered grid gives full ground coverage within about two growing seasons.
Can Coastal Rosemary grow in pots?
Yes. A pot 40 to 50 centimetres wide suits a single plant for a courtyard, entry or balcony. Use a free draining mix, because the roots will not tolerate sitting wet. Container plants need watering more often than those in the ground, plus a light trim to hold their shape.
How do I prune and care for Coastal Rosemary?
Trim lightly two or three times a year, taking the soft new growth and avoiding cuts into bare old wood, which reshoots poorly. Water through the first summer, then only in extended dry spells. On most soils it needs no feeding at all, and it resents heavy watering and poor drainage.
Westringia fruticosa – Coastal Rosemary
Westringia ‘Wynyabbie Blue’ – Wynyabbie Blue Coastal Rosemary
Westringia ‘Wynyabbie Blue’ – Wynyabbie Blue Coastal Rosemary
Westringia 'Wynyabbie Blue' is a hardy Australian native shrub grown for its lilac blue flowers, which are larger and more freely carried than those of the common white forms. Narrow grey green leaves sit in neat whorls on a dense rounded frame that holds its shape through the year.
Expect 1.5 to 2 metres in height and width at maturity, at 30 to 60 centimetres a year. Full sun brings the heaviest flowering, though part shade is accepted. Drainage matters above everything else, after which it takes salt wind, sandy or gravelly ground, drought and light to moderate frost.
Mass plantings on batters, median strips and coastal frontages are where it earns its keep, and it clips into a low hedge of about a metre without losing its flowering. Plant 1 to 1.5 metres apart for an informal screen. One plant fills a 40 to 50 centimetre pot neatly.
Frequently Asked Questions
About Wynyabbie Blue Coastal Rosemary
What is Westringia Wynyabbie Blue?
Westringia 'Wynyabbie Blue' is a hardy Australian native shrub grown for its lilac blue flowers, which are larger and more freely carried than those of the common white forms. Narrow grey green leaves sit in neat whorls on a dense rounded frame. It is evergreen and holds its structure all year.
How big does Wynyabbie Blue grow?
It reaches 1.5 to 2 metres tall and 1.5 to 2 metres wide at maturity, growing 30 to 60 centimetres a year. It clips comfortably to around a metre if you want a lower hedge, and it will hold that height indefinitely given two or three light trims a year.
When does Wynyabbie Blue flower?
From spring right through autumn, roughly September to May, with sporadic flowers in winter in mild districts. The lilac blue flowers open in flushes rather than all at once, so there is usually some colour on the plant. Flowering is heaviest in full sun on lean, well drained soil.
Is Wynyabbie Blue drought tolerant?
Yes. Once the roots are established it needs very little water and copes with extended dry periods, which is why it is used on unirrigated median strips and road verges. Drainage matters more than watering, since the plant will die in soggy ground long before it dies of thirst.
Is Wynyabbie Blue suitable for coastal positions?
It is. Salt laden wind, sandy soils and reflected heat are all handled, and it is planted routinely on foreshore reserves and beachside gardens. In very exposed frontal positions the plant stays lower and denser than it would inland, which generally suits the situation anyway.
How far apart should I plant Wynyabbie Blue for a hedge?
Use 80 centimetres between plants for a clipped formal hedge, or 1 to 1.5 metres for a dense informal screen. For mass planting on banks and median strips, 1 metre in a staggered pattern gives full coverage within about two growing seasons and shades out most weeds.
How do I prune and care for Wynyabbie Blue?
Trim lightly after each flowering flush, taking soft growth only. Cutting back into bare old wood leaves gaps that will not fill in, so stay on top of it rather than letting it get away. Water through the first summer, then rarely. Avoid rich soils and heavy fertiliser.
Westringia ‘Wynyabbie Blue’ – Wynyabbie Blue Coastal Rosemary
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