Cineraria ‘Silver Dust’: Designing Your Garden with Fabulous Foliage 

Silver Dust or Silver Ragwort’s leaves have a deeply lobed and fern-like texture. Add these attributes to its silvery-grey or white foliage and you got yourself a special shrub, which can be an interesting landscape addition for beds and borders. 

While it’s popular as a border plant, it’s also used for mixed containers, or as ground cover to incorporate a contrasting silver element to your garden. Even when flowers are not in bloom, Silver Dust remains to be a source of visual interest; its foliage is just that fabulous. 

How to Plant Cineraria ‘Silver Dust’?

Planting Cineraria Silver Dust is almost effortless, a welcome news for beginner and seasoned gardeners alike. Here’s how to successfully grow this prized ornamental plant in your garden:

• Like with most plants, the ideal time to plant Silver Dust is in early spring or autumn when the weather is cooler, as it’s important for the plant to settle its roots prior to summer's heat. 
• It thrives in well-drained, sandy, or loamy soils. It’s tolerant of poor soil conditions but prefers slightly alkaline to neutral soil.
• It grows well in full sun, though  partial shade is also fine especially in hotter climates when the foliage needs protection from the sun’s scorching heat. 
• Water regularly after planting to help the plant establish its roots. Once established, it becomes drought-tolerant. 
•  Space plants 30-60 cm apart to allow them to spread naturally without overcrowding. This also encourages optimal growth. 

Why Should You Buy Cineraria ‘Silver Dust’?

Cineraria Silver Dust is an excellent addition to Australian gardens due to its resilience and low-maintenance needs, not to mention the unrivalled beauty of its silvery-grey to white foliage.

Here are more reasons to consider adding this plant when designing your garden:

• Silvery to White Foliage: It’s hard to miss the Senecio Cineraria plant with its silvery white foliage that simply dazzles in any garden or landscape. Its silvery foliage is also why this plant is great as a border plant, easily adding texture and contrast to any garden or container arrangement.
• Low Maintenance: Silver Dust won't need much of your attention once established, a convenient attribute that's  perfect for any gardener, beginner or skilled. 
• Drought Tolerant: Water-wise gardens naturally need drought tolerant plants, which is why Silver Dust is a reasonable addition. 
• Highly Versatile: The Cineraria Silver Dust plant has many uses — it can be used in borders, as ground cover, or in mixed containers to complement other colourful plants.

How to Care for Cineraria ‘Silver Dust’?

Once established, Silver Dust, which is also a compact perennial, can thrive with minimal care. Still, you’ll need to keep in mind the following tips to keep your plant happy and healthy:

• Silver Dust is drought-tolerant once established. Water regularly during dry periods, but avoid over-watering. 
• Light pruning can be done in spring or after flowering to maintain its compact shape and encourage new growth. It’s also recommended to deadhead flowers to promote a tidy appearance.
• You can use a slow-release fertiliser in the spring to enhance growth, but avoid over-fertilising as this may also overdo the growth of foliage, shrinking its blooms even more. Find more fertilising tips here. 
• Properly welched garden beds can also help to retain moisture. 

Things to Consider When Growing Cineraria ‘Silver Dust’

Growing Senecio Cineraria is far from complicated considering it’s half hardy, drought-tolerant, and doesn’t require your utmost attention. But if you’re intent on keeping your garden and its plants lively and attractive all year round, there are some factors to keep in mind. 

As with most plants, Silver Dust thrives in well-drained soils. Planting it in poor-drained soils can almost always cause root rot. The plant’s moderate growth rate also entails careful monitoring to ensure proper spacing. Overcrowding plants aren’t an image of an elegant and healthy garden.

Lastly, Silver Dust can only tolerate light frosts. If you live in regions with extreme frosts, you must move your plant indoors to protect it from the harsh weather. 

Treating Cineraria ‘Silver Dust’ for Pests and Diseases

Silver Dust Cineraria is relatively pest and disease-free, but it can sometimes be affected by aphids and spider mites, as well as powdery mildew. Insecticidal soap or neem oil usually take care of insect infestations.

As for powdery mildew, which develops when it’s too humid, you just need to make sure there’s excellent air circulation around the plant. 

Where Can I Buy Cineraria ‘Silver Dust’?

You can purchase Cineraria Silver Dust here at Local Botanist, where we offer a wide range of plants suited to any garden style, may that be a cottage-themed garden or a modern design. 

You can also discover the garden style that’s right for you by taking our Garden Style Quiz.

Companion Plants for Cineraria ‘Silver Dust’

These companion plants not only complement the aesthetic of the Senecio Cineraria plant, but also share similar growing and care requirements, ensuring a beautifully balanced and flourishing garden.

Here are other plants you can add to your garden alongside Silver Dust. 

• Lavandula Dentata (French Lavender): The purple blooms of the French Lavender harmoniously contrast with the silvery foliage of Silver Dust, adding brightness to garden borders.
• Rosmarinus Officinalis Prostratus (Prostrate Rosemary): The green, aromatic foliage of rosemary goes well with Silver Dust, especially in Mediterranean-themed gardens.
• Dianthus Allwoodii (Memories): Its delicate white flowers and soft green leaves complement the bold form of Silver Dust.
• Helichrysum Petiolare (Silver Star): Bringing another plant with majestic foliage instantly transforms your garden into a grand outdoor (or indoor) spectacle.