Senecio vulgaris

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groundsel

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Other common names

birdseed, chickenweed, chickweed, flower of St Macarius, grinsel, simson

Annual Biennial

A fast-growing upright annual to 60cm high, with long, deeply lobed leaves growing directly from hollow stems. Produces yellow flowers, mostly hidden by green bracts and resembling a half-opened dandelion. Flowers go on to produce fluffy white seed heads, seeds are prolific and wind-dispersed

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.5-1 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
1 year
Max Spread
0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height
0.5-1 metres

Growing Conditions

Clay Loam Sand
Moisture
Well–drained or Moist but well–drained
pH
Acid or Neutral

Position

Full sun
Aspect
South–facing
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

  • H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
  • H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
  • H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
  • H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
  • H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
  • H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
  • H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
  • H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
  • H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)
H5

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Asteraceae
Native to GB/Ireland
Yes
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Columnar upright
Genus
Senecio can be annuals, biennials, perennials, climbers or shrubs, some succulent, with simple or pinnately divided leaves and daisy-like flowers, occasionally without ray-florets
Name Status
Correct

How to Grow

Cultivation

Most vigorous in moist, fertile soils, but will successfully adapt to a range of growing conditions, though does not grow as well in shade. Spreads rapidly over long distances, generally considered a weed.

Propagation

Propagates by seed, produced prolifically through the year. In optimum conditions, life cycle can be very short, from seed to seed in under six weeks

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Wildlife gardens

Pruning

Remove before flowering to prevent spreading

Pests

May be susceptible to mealybugs, scale insects and glasshouse red spider mite

Diseases

May be susceptible to a rust and honey fungus