Euphorbia - cut back hard??

Bonedigger

Hi,
Just wondering if you guys could take a look at the following images and give me your opinions?
I've had this Euphorbia for a year now(I think it's E. characias), and was wondering if you think it would be wise to cut it back to the base at this stage?
You can see the new shoots emerging at the base, but the lowermost leaves are quite yellow looking which somewhat spoils it! There would appear to be new bracts emerging at the top of the stems and it would be a shame to lose these and not have the fresh shoots at the base come into flower again until next year. Will the new shoots at the base produce bracts this year?
What would you guys do??
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks.

Euphorbia characias?


New shoots at the base


Bract-laden upper stems

Andy-Pandy

I'd cut them back After they bloom in spring,they bloom from the tips of the previous years stems, I also would remove any of the dead stems now. The most important thing to remember when dealing with Euphorbia is that they are highly toxic and the sap can cause iratation in contact with your skin. Where gloves, wash your hands after and make sure you don't touch your eyes. I've got scars on my hands from Euphorbia, it's nasty toxic stuff

Bonedigger

Andy-Pandy wrote: »

I'd cut them back After they bloom in spring,they bloom from the tips of the previous years stems, I also would remove any of the dead stems now. The most important thing to remember when dealing with Euphorbia is that they are highly toxic and the sap can cause iratation in contact with your skin. Where gloves, wash your hands after and make sure you don't touch your eyes. I've got scars on my hands from Euphorbia, it's nasty toxic stuff

Thanks Andy-Pandy.
Yeah, it would be a shame to lose those bract-laden stems. I'll just have to live with those unsightly looking lower yellow leaves.