Centaurea cineraria
Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- sen-TAR-ee-ah sin-ah-RAY-ree-ah
- Description
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Dusty miller is an herbaceous sub-shrub in the Asteraceae (aster) family and native to the Mediterranean region. It is hardy in zones 8 to 10 and can be grown as an annual or perennial. It is grown for its dense, downy, gray-green foliage rather than the yellow thistle-like flowers that are usually trimmed to promote foliage growth.
Dusty miller prefers moist, well-drained, moderately rich soils in full sun. It will tolerate poor soils and partial shade but can become leggy. It is drought tolerant when established, has few pests, and is not favored by deer.
The plant can be grown from seed or cuttings. In the summer, take tip cuttings from semi-hard wood. They will last past the first frost, but will die back to the crowns when temperatures are below freezing for long periods of time. Dead foliage should be cut back. New growth will emerge in late spring.
The leaves are covered with fine matted hairs on both sides, giving them a felt-like or woolly appearance in silver or white. When wet, the white color fades and the green of the leaf is visible. The white color in the leaf is not as intense when grown in the shade.
Use dusty miller in a container, as an edging plant along sidewalks, for accent, or on slopes. The leaves reflect moonlight, making it a welcome addition to a nighttime garden, as well as a cottage or drought-tolerant garden.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No significant problems.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Pitt County Arboretum Containers
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- 'Silver Dust'
- 'Silver Lace'
- 'Silver Dust'
- 'Silver Dust', 'Silver Lace'
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Silver Dust'
- 'Silver Lace'
- 'Silver Dust'
- 'Silver Dust', 'Silver Lace'
- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Centaurea
- Species:
- cineraria
- Family:
- Asteraceae
- Uses (Ethnobotany):
- As an accent bedding plant against flowering plants of a deep magenta, burgundy or purple.
- Life Cycle:
- Annual
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Seed
- Stem Cutting
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Mediterranean
- Play Value:
- Defines Paths
- Dimensions:
- Height: 0 ft. 6 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 1 ft. 2 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Annual
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Habit/Form:
- Mounding
- Rounded
- Growth Rate:
- Rapid
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Medium
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Clay
- High Organic Matter
- Loam (Silt)
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Available Space To Plant:
- Less than 12 inches
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Type:
- Achene
- Fruit Description:
- Seeds are produced in cylindrical achenes
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Head
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Fall
- Spring
- Flower Shape:
- Dome
- Flower Petals:
- 7 - 20 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- 1-3 inches
- Flower Description:
- Thistle-like flower-heads, often with enlarged outer florets, not particularly ornamental and usually trimmed to promote foliage growth and not detract from the foliage.
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Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Gray/Silver
- Green
- White
- Leaf Feel:
- Velvety
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Leaf Type:
- Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Lanceolate
- Leaf Margin:
- Lobed
- Hairs Present:
- Yes
- Leaf Length:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Simple leaves are covered in fine matted hairs on both sides giving them a felt-like or woolly feel, are lance shaped and indented or cut with numerous lobes, yielding a lace-like appearance in silver or white with green undertones. The leaves reflect moonlight and is a welcome addition to a nighttime garden.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Slope/Bank
- Walkways
- Landscape Theme:
- Cottage Garden
- Drought Tolerant Garden
- Nighttime Garden
- Design Feature:
- Accent
- Border
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
- Drought