Angel Wings
A plant that caught my eye at the garden centre was Senecio candidans ‘Angel Wings’. It is often known as sea cabbage or Dusty Miller.
Originating close to the coast of Patagonian Chile, it is a succulent perennial with large, silvery leaves, and produces clusters of yellow flowers from early summer to early autumn, which attract many pollinators.
It likes full sun and will be drought tolerant once established, but it doesn’t like damp soil. It is recommended for sensory gardens, because its leaves are covered in velvety hairs, which are pleasing to the touch.
It is said to be easy to grow, but there are provisos – old leaves should be removed, because they might otherwise be a source of rot, and the plant should be protected from excess rain and frost. Over-watering is damaging. Nutrient-rich soil does not suit and will lead to it producing weak, floppy leaves.
It is a good plant for coastal areas, as it does not react adversely to salty winds, but it can be short-lived, particularly if given too much water.
Luckily, though I thought it a striking plant, I was not sufficiently interested in buying one, quite apart from our soil being heavy clay in parts. In any case, it is toxic to dogs and cats, (and humans) so definitely not suitable for us. It can also cause skin irritation in people predisposed to such conditions.
My mum used to grow dusty miller up in the town I grew up in, where the weather is hot and dry, she also grew Angel Wing begonias, which I preferred to look at because the colours are prettier.
ReplyDeleteI love angel wing begonias. I prefer colour to paleness, generally.
DeleteThat plant is gorgeous! I love dusty miller but it does not do well here, of course, too much rain and dark.
ReplyDeleteIt is very striking.
DeleteI grew dusty miller at my old house, but it had thinner leaves. It was a non-demanding plant
ReplyDeleteI don't think I'd seen it before.
DeleteIt would probably grow well out to our middle suburbs from the bay, with the soil being sandy, well drained and nutrient poor. I don't know it by name but I think I've seen it.
ReplyDeleteAn easy plant for poor or difficult conditions . . .
DeleteIt sounds as though it can be quite fussy, though if you listen to the likes and dislikes of every plant, we'd put very little in our gardens. I tend to plant things and hope they do well, some do and some don't!
ReplyDeleteThat's pretty much my approach!
DeleteHow beautiful! The Dusty Miller I am acquainted with is very different. Same color but with kind of fringy looking leaves.
ReplyDeleteI suppose there are many variations, really.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful flowers. They really are quite striking
ReplyDeleteThey have an interesting structure.
DeleteI've never seen that plant before, thanks for enlightening me.
ReplyDeleteAlison in Wales x
Would it grow where you live?
DeleteProbably not with all the rain we get!
DeleteAlison x
I've heard of ornamental cabbage plants but not sea cabbage or the other names that this plant has.
ReplyDeleteI guess you never know what plants you may come across at a garden centre and it's always nice to learn about one that are new to you.
All the best Jan
There seem to be new plants all the time. I suppose that's always been the case, really.
DeleteSeems to be a plant that thrives in poor soil and those who forget to water their plants. Sounds like a plant that I could handle!
ReplyDeleteThat's rather how I felt about it!
DeleteMy goodness, the plant DOES look like angel wings!
ReplyDeleteThey must look captivating at dusk.
DeleteI don't have that particular Senecio but I do have another type in a tall raised bed. Our soil is like yours- lots of clay. It has done surprisingly well on my neglect and the huge amounts of rain this year.
ReplyDeleteIt's amazing that anything has grown this year. At least now we're promised some warmer weather. We shall see . . .
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