WSU Clark County Extension
PNW Plants Searchable, categorized images

Dusty Miller

Scientific name: Senecio cineraria
Taxonomy
Family:Asteraceae
Type:Herbaceous perennials
Native:NO
Plant Requirements
Zone:8 to 10
Sun:Full to partial sun
Moisture:Dry
Plant Characteristics
Height:1 ft
Width:2 ft
Bloom:Summer flowers
Bloom Time:May to July
Bloom Color:Yellow
Additional Characteristics
Trees


Fruit

Leaves


Bark
Wildlife value

Poisonous
Description Dusty miller is grown for its spectacular silvery-white foliage and delicately divided leaves covered with a very soft, dense fuzz.

  Morphology:
The leaves are silver-gray and woolly, like felt. They are shallowly to deeply incised and 4 to 8 inches long. They are arranged in an alternate fashion. The leaves are blunt tipped, sometimes almost fernlike, with multiple lobes. This evergreen perennial can grow to a height of 2’ but typically only grows to one foot during the first growing season.

If it does survive into its second summer, this species produces mustard yellow flower heads about 1 in across in loose, terminal, 4” wide flat topped clusters.

  Adaptation:
Drought-tolerant; suitable for xeriscaping. Plants do best in part shade/part sun. Dusty Miller prefers summers that are warm and dry and winters that are cool and wet. This perennial is an excellent choice for edging borders and beds. The silvery-gray foliage provides a perfect contrast for brightly colored annuals.

  Pests:
No pests or diseases of major concern.

All parts of plant are poisonous if ingested. Gardeners should be especially carefull with handling the foliage and then rubbing their eyes as the sap of this plant has been used to treat cataracts!
For assistance, contact Dr. Charles Brun (brunc@wsu.edu), (360) 397-6060 5701
Computing and Web Resources, PO Box 6234, Washington State University, Pullman WA 99164-6234