Here’s a perennial you may not have considered. Colorful, easy to grow, drought-tolerant once established – and with eye-catching fall colors, to boot!

'Ascot Rainbow’ lives up to the colorful part of its name with striking, yet subtle, gray-green leaves edged in gold. Come cool nights, the foliage becomes suffused with ever-deepening reds. It’s an autumn display worth waiting for.

• It is a hybrid subshrub that was discovered growing in the wild in southern France in the late 1800s. 
• It is known for its unique variegated foliage, which is a blend of blue-green, yellow, and cream. 
• The leaves are topped by clusters of showy, variegated cream, lime, and green flowers in spring.
• It is a drought-tolerant plant that can be grown in full sun to partial shade. 
• It is hardy in USDA zones 6-9. 
• It is a relatively easy plant to care for, but it is important to avoid overwatering. 

Here are some tips for caring for Euphorbia x martinii ‘Ascot Rainbow’:

• Plant it in well-draining soil. 
• Water it regularly but allow the soil to dry out between waterings. 
• Fertilize it once a year with a balanced fertilizer. 
• Protect it from frost in colder climates. 
• Deadhead the flowers to encourage new blooms.

Euphorbia x martinii ‘Ascot Rainbow’ is a beautiful and versatile plant that can be used in a variety of settings. It is a great choice for borders, containers, and rock gardens. It is also deer and rabbit resistant, making it a good choice for gardens in areas with these pests.

Euphorbia is an enormous genus of 2,000+ species. From tiny terrarium cuties to large trees, they’re found on every continent but Antarctica. Some look like cacti, some like Sedums, and some like no other living thing anywhere.

The genus includes one of the most popular plants ever: The ubiquitous Mexican native, E. pulcherrima, better known as the poinsettia.

‘Ascot Rainbow’ was introduced by David Glenn of Ascot, Australia. English-born, Glenn is a pioneer of dry-climate gardening. His noted garden, Lambley, is named for his childhood home.

And they’re off! Ascot Downs, one of England’s most famous horse racing track, dates to 1711. An ascot is a type of men’s necktie generally associated with formal wear, weddings and military uniforms. It’s named for the poshest events at the track, when you can bet the Royal Family will be in attendance.