Senecio viravira

RHS Plant Profile

dusty miller

RHS 1999

Synonyms

Senecio argentinus Baker
Senecio leucostachys misapplied

Shrubs

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A small evergreen shrub of open habit with finely divided silvery-white leaves to 6cm long. Rather inconspicuous button-like, creamy-yellow flower-heads 6mm wide, in loose clusters in summer and autumn

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Chalk, Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.1-0.5 metres

Max Spread

0.5-1 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 5–10 years
Max Spread: 0.5-1 metres
Max Height: 0.1-0.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Loam Sand

Moisture: Well–drained
pH: Acid or 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: Evergreen
Habit: Bushy
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
Plant Range: Brazil to Argentina

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in a moderately fertile, well-drained soil in full sun

Propagation

Propagate by seed in spring at 19-24°C (66-75°F). Take semi-ripe cuttings in mid- or late summer

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Gravel garden
Patio and container plants
Rock garden
City and courtyard gardens
Coastal
Cottage and informal garden
Flower borders and beds

Pruning

Trim over after flowering to keep plants compact

Pests

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

Diseases

May be susceptible to a rust and honey fungus