Cineraria, Dusty miller, Silver Groundsel
Senecio cineraria

Family: Asteraceae or Compositae

What it is like

Bloom Color: White, Yellow. Main Bloom Time: Early summer, Late summer, Mid summer. Form: Rounded.

Senecio cineraria is an evergreen Shrub growing to 0.6 m (2ft) by 1 m (3ft 3in) at a medium rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 8. It is in leaf all year, in flower from June to August, and the seeds ripen from July to September. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil and can tolerate drought. The plant can tolerate maritime exposure.

Height (m): 0.6

Where it is found

Maritime cliffs in S.W. England, mainly on limestone.

S. Europe. Naturalized in Britain.

Conservation Status:

Countries/locations it is found in

How it is used

Food

Rating: 0

Medicine

Rating: 3

The fresh juice of the leaves is ophthalmic. Applied to the eyes it has a mildly irritating effect that increases blood flow tot he area, helping to strengthen resistance and clear away infections. One or two drops put into the eyes is said to be of use in removing cataracts and also in the treatment of conjunctivitis. This remedy should only be used under the supervision of a trained practitioner. The plant contains pyrrolizidine alkaloids which are highly toxic to the liver so the plant should not be used internally.

Ophthalmic: Treats eye complaints.

Other

Rating:

The plant is very tolerant of maritime exposure and can be grown as a dwarf windbreak hedge. It is fairly slow growing, though, and apt to be short-lived.

Hedge: Plants that can be grown as hedges.

Hedge: Hedge

How it is grown

Landscape Uses:Border, Container, Ground cover, Massing, Seashore, Specimen. Succeeds in a sunny position in most well-drained moderately fertile soils. Requires a well-drained sandy soil. Established plants are drought resistant. Plants are fairly tolerant of maritime exposure. A very ornamental plant, it is not fully hardy in the colder areas of Britain, tolerating temperatures down to about -10°c. Plants quickly become straggly if unpruned and also tend to be fairly short-lived and are best replaced every few years. Special Features: Attractive foliage, Not North American native.

Propagating it: Seed - sow spring in a greenhouse. Only just cover the seed and do not allow the compost to dry out. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and grow them on in the greenhouse for their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in early summer. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, 5 - 8cm with a heel, July/August in a frame. Overwinter in a cold frame and plant out in late spring. Cuttings of mature wood, November in a greenhouse. Division in spring.

Best place to grow: Hedge;

Habit: Shrub

Hardiness: 8-10

Growth: Medium

Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)

Shade: No shade

Moisture: Dry, moist

Things to keep in mind

The plant contains pyrrolizidine alkaloids which are highly toxic to the liver, so the plant should not be used internally.

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

S. bicolor cineraria. (DC.)Chater. Cineraria maritima.