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Class

Dicotyledons

Division

Angiospermae

Family

Asteraceae or Compositae

Order

Asterales

Genus

Senecio

Species

cruentus

Description

Ornamental herb with compact growth and a globular habit. The daisy-like, delicately scented flowers show themselves even during the colder months, covering the plant with abundance in a wide assortment of colours. It is mainly used for terraces and balconies, also in arrangements with other ornamentals. Of medium hardiness, it is easy to cultivate.

Variety description

Flowering plant with flowers resembling a daisy, with a very varied assortment of colours, from pink to blue. It is a synthetic cultivation information fears over-fertilisation especially in conjunction with water stress, non-blooming variety.

Curiosities and special features

The generic term, Senecio, derives from the Latin senex or elderly in relation to the white down that develops at the end of flowering on the flower heads.

The family to which it belongs, Asteraceae, is of great importance from an economic point of view as it includes numerous plants cultivated both for food, such as artichoke and sunflower, and ornamental purposes such as Senecio, Aster, Ageratum, Calendula, Chrysanthemum, Dahlia, Gerbera and Tagetes.

Origin and distribution

Senecio cruentus is native to the Canary Islands, from its cross-breeding with other species belonging to the same genus derive the present-day varieties of Cineraria or Senecio x hybridus, today classified as Pericallis x hybrida; the first hybrid was first created in British royal gardens in the mid-18th century, from which time intensive selection work began, leading today to the modern varieties that are distinguished by the size and colour shade of the inflorescences as well as the height reached by the plant.

Flower size

The flower individually is small, lending elegance to the lush bloom.

Leaf

Leaf has bipinnate lamina.

Flowering period

Flowering lasts from mid-winter to early summer for 60 to 90 days.

Inflorescence

Inflorescence umbrella.

Leaf colour

Leaf Solid colour.

Plant height

The height of the plant varies from 0.15 to 0.25 m. It is rather compact and therefore ideal for creating visually proportionate groups in pots and planters.

Lifespan

Cultivated mainly as a seasonal plant.

Where to plant

Used to add a bright and lively colour note to balconies, terraces, flower boxes

Stem

Herbaceous stem, the variety has no thorns.

Flower

The flower is daisy-shaped, small in size, with two-coloured, solid-coloured petals. It is arranged in small umbel inflorescences. It flowers from mid-winter to early summer, with a flowering period of between 60 and 90 days. It has sweet notes and is lightly scented, with a delicate aroma. It is attractive to beetles.

Growth

It presents compact growth, highly valued for its branching density and abundance of flowers.

Plant habit

Variety with a globular habit, suitable for decorating even small spaces with decorative notes of colour.

Branching

It develops with Medium and proportionate branching.

PH

The ideal pH of the medium is sub-acidic with values between 5.5 and 6.8; consider these conditions also for irrigation water.

Soil preparation

Before transplanting into the flower bed, carry out light digging to remove any weeds, residues of previous crops and bulky stones, proceed by burying organic or slow-release chemical fertiliser and break up the coarsest clods. To improve the drainage of excess water, continue by creating a raised flower bed by slightly bouldering the soil, then carefully levelling the surface by preparing the planting holes at a suitable density.

Sun exposure

The ideal exposure is in half shade; direct light during the hottest hours should be avoided.

Ideal climate and temperature

The ideal temperature is between 10 and 18 °C, thus suitable for temperate climates. The biological temperature is between 3 and 28 °C.

Use

The wide colour assortment of blooms makes it ideal in
Ornamental

Hardiness

Characterised by medium rusticity.

Soil

For use in planters or tubs, a light, well-draining substrate for spring plants containing peat and perlite is recommended.

Difficulty

A plant of easy cultivation and maintenance, it requires little management care.

Growing tips

When placing the plant on balconies and terraces take care to

Avoid direct sunlight during the hottest hours Prefers cool climate

Combinations with other plants

Suitable in compositions with other ornamental flowering or decorative foliage species such as Anemone coronaria, Helichrysum petiolare, Heuchera, Salvia farinacea, Senecio cineraria.

Planting

For use in flowerbeds we recommend an average planting density of 8 plants per square metre in order to obtain a well-proportioned overall composition with optimum vegetative growth of each specimen.

For cultivation in planters or pots, use a suitable substrate for spring plants containing peat and perlite, taking care to gently extract the seedlings from the container without damaging the roots, then pot them with the vegetative apex outside the surface of the potting soil, making sure that the lumps are well moistened, and continue by wetting immediately afterwards.

Propagation

It multiplies from seed.

Watering

Use rainwater, or alternatively aqueduct water with an optimal sub-acid pH, either manually or by irrigation. It fears dryness, which can cause yellowing of the basal leaves, so be sure to keep the substrate moist at all times but avoid stagnation; it requires frequent watering but in adequate quantities without over-watering. It is also suggested not to water the aerial part of the plant from above during the late afternoon or evening as the flowers may become stained.

Read more on the Joyflo blog

Fertilising

Apply a specific liquid fertiliser for ornamental plants to the Soil/medium to be diluted in the irrigation water without exceeding the dosage and frequency.

Read more on the Joyflo blog

Pet safety

Ingestion toxicity to pets not known.

Edibility for humans

Non-edible.

Toxicity for humans

Toxicity not known, avoid ingestion.

Tip

Never allow the plant to dry out to avoid yellowing of the basal leaves. It also lends itself to use in flowerbeds as a short-term decorative, exhibition or ready-made plant.