Roldana petasitis

RHS Plant Profile

velvet groundsel

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Other common names

Californian geranium, plume-leaved groundsel

Synonyms

Cineraria petasitis
Senecio petasitis

Annual Biennial

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An evergreen perennial to around 3m in height, with very large, broad tropical-looking dark green velvety foliage with deep veining and a reddish tone. Clusters of yellow, daisy-like flowers appear from January through to April

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Chalk, Loam, Sand

Size

Time to Maturity: 1–2 years

Growing Conditions

Chalk Loam Sand

Moisture: Moist but well–drained
pH: Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun

Aspect: South–facing or West–facing
Exposure: 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): H4

Colour & Scent

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Asteraceae
Native to GB/Ireland: No
Foliage: Deciduous
Habit: Bushy
Genus
Name Status: Correct
Plant Range: E Mexico

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in a sunny, sheltered bed where the soil is well-drained and neutral to slightly alkaline

Propagation

Propagate by seed sown in gentle heat in early spring. Protect from cold winter temperatures

Suggested planting locations and garden types

City and courtyard gardens
Cottage and informal garden
Cut flowers
Flower borders and beds

Pruning

Cut back after flowering

Pests

May be susceptible to aphids, flea beetles and cabbage root fly

Diseases

May be susceptible to club root, downy mildews, root rot and a virus