cineraria Senecio Silver Dust

Elegant, almost white, the Senecio cineraria 'Silver Dust' is a seaside cineraria of great ornamental value. All dressed in silver, but modest in its platinum dress, it forms a precious setting for any accompanying plant, with infinite delicacy. This evergreen undershrub with a compact habit and extremely finely cut foliage occasionally produces umbels of a somewhat uncertain mustard yellow in summer, which will probably be forgotten. It will be appreciated above all for its foliage, in borders or in pots and containers to adorn the balcony or terrace. Not very hardy, but tolerant of heat, sea spray, and poor soils, it is a biennial or frugal perennial that appreciates the sun and succumbs in moist and poorly drained soil.

The Senecio cineraria is an evergreen shrub with a woody base from the aster family, native to the western Mediterranean Basin, perfectly adapted to summer heat and drought. In nature, the seaside cineraria is found in rocky or sandy soils, often poor and limestone, but perfectly drained.

The 'Silver Dust' variety, from which it originates, forms a bushy and compact, rounded clump, about 50 cm (20in) in all directions when fully grown, 20 to 30 cm (8 to 12in) in all when grown as a biennial. It is distinguished from the type by its almost white, intensely lobed foliage. The upper surface of the leaves is covered with a very pale gray felt, almost white, and their lower surface is doubled with a thick white down. The entire foliage has a feathery appearance and a bright silver glow. The sporadic flowering on this variety sometimes appears in June-July, in the form of branched umbels made up of numerous small dark yellow to mustard yellow heads. The seeds are easily dispersed by the wind, thanks to their large white bristles.

'Silver Dust' means 'silver dust' in French. What other name could illustrate the discreet elegance of this small bush with a lunar beauty? This seaside cineraria harmonizes with all other plants, whether perennials or annuals, modest or lush, with bright shades and soft nuances. It is also a good plant for dry or seaside gardens, to be installed, for example, in large silver borders, in the company of wormwoods, Centaurea pulcherrima, curry plant, or Atriplex. With red salvias (shrubby or herbaceous), or magenta coquelourdes, 'Silver Dust' will compose a rich harmony, a feast for the eyes!

Note: Please be aware that our plug plants are professional products intended for experienced gardeners: upon receipt, transplant them as soon as possible, in pots, containers, or directly in borders.