Euphorbias are great plants for a sunny spot making a good show all year round euphorbia characias black pearl is at its most fascinating in spring when tall spires of buds open to reveal bright green flowers with black centres looking like mysterious dark pearls these sculptural flowers continue until the first frosts of winter mediterranean spurge also known as milkweed thrives in dry places and will withstand drought its sweet nectar is attractive to insects height and spread 60cm