A Versatile Silver Plant That Is a Unique Alternative to Dusty Miller

I finally made the trek last leaping to search forannualsat a small , out - of - the - way greenhouse in upstate New York that I had heard about for years but had never visited . I went expecting to ascertain the usual workhorses , but alongside those were some sinful plants that proved to be standouts through the entire season .

One of them was Angel Wings ® sea cabbage . I made a beeline for it as presently as I escort its aglow , blanched - silver , graceful foliage . Even as a young , modest plant , it radiate . Though competing with about 50 otherpotson bench in my garden , this one — plant alone in a pile all to itself — became my favorite of the season with sweetheart and sereneness that commands tending . This cutter perennial performs well intoOctoberin Zone 5 , but any gardener in colder areas than Zone 8 who want to keep it for the next twelvemonth needs tooverwinter it in spite of appearance . ( It makes a greathouseplant . )

In a medium - size of it planter on a sunny terrace , Angel Wings ® exhibited a prompt maturation charge per unit that made it a joy to watch . Despite its broad , velvety foliage , which I insisted all my visitant touch , it is amazingly a succulent . The genusSenecio , with over 1,000 mintage , includes many plant with different gadget characteristic . The more familiar moth-eaten miller ( Jacobaea maritimaand cvs . , syn . Senecio cineraria , Zones 7–10 ) is a beautiful plant , though in my nous it is far less sophisticated simply because it is overplanted . While the color of Angel Wings ® is exchangeable , its tactile nature aggregate with its quiet - adjoin leaves makes it really unique .

While it was getting established , I found that Angel Wings ® preferred less than full sunlight . If you keep a astute eye on it , you will see it flag ever so somewhat if it is overheated . Watch for this , and move it into a spot with less direct light , morning Sunday only , or partial shade . Good drain , or sandy or loamy soil if you plant it in the ground , plus daily or most daily lacrimation are must when in full sun .

This plant is all about the foliage , but I ’m going to take the challenge and fertilize with a efflorescence - boosting formula this year to see if I can coax it into get its seldom picture clump of bright , scandalmongering blossoms . Flowers or no flowers , it is a stunning , undemanding superstar that will make all your garden visitors marvel .

Angel Wings®sea cabbage

Senecio candicans‘Senaw’

Zones:8–11

Conditions : Full Sunday to partial nuance ; median , well - drained dirt

Native range : South America

Margherita Fabrizio is a lifelong nurseryman and lensman in Ithaca , New York .

Illustration : Elara Tanguy

Sources

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