Growing Dusty Miller (Senecio cineraria)

Botanical Name:

Senecio cineraria

Life Cycle:

annual, tender perennial

Planting Time:

spring or summer

Height:

8" to 15" as annuals; 2' to 2.5' as perennials

Exposure:

full sun

Soil:

average, well drained soil; tolerant of poor soil conditions

Hardiness:

zones 8-10

Bloom Time:

summer

Flower:

inconspicuous

Foliage:

silver-gray, hairy leaves

Propagation:

seeds or cuttings

Suggested Use:

beds, edgings, borders or cut flowers

Growing Hints:

Start with plants, cuttings or sow seeds directly in the garden (after night temperatures warm to 50ºF in cooler zones). After roots become established, water only moderately every 7 to 10 days to avoid root rot. In zones 8-10, Dusty Miller can be grown as a biennial, and can be grown as an annual in zones 3-7.

Interesting Facts:

Native to southern Europe, Dusty Miller is grown primarily for its attractive silver-gray foliage and most gardeners prefer to cut off the flowers to encourage leaf growth. Its deer resistant silvery foliage is also lovely in the moonlight.

I don't know what it could be eating your plants. I do know that I am thoroughly fed up with both squirrels and rabbits eating my flowers, and the squirrels digging the dirt out so they can eat the roots.

Unfortunately where I live it is illegal to shoot pellet guns in town.

Hmm. I've never overwintered Dusty Miller because they usually come back in my area. But that suggests to me that maybe they'll benefit from overwintering procedures for geraniums or fuchsias?

Pot up, cut back to about 2/3. Keep outside until just before frost. Start reducing water. Just before frost, give them a thorough foliage wash to get rid of most bugs and bring inside. Good luck.