Also called silver dust, this herbaceous annual or tender perennial sub-shrub is native to the Island of Capraia in Italy and is a member of the aster family, Asteraceae, that also includes daisy, yarrow, and lettuce. It grows 6-24″ tall and has silvery gray-green leaves that are pinnately dissected and downy on both surfaces. The leaves are 6-8″ long and arch away from the central stem. The thistle-like flowerheads appear in the spring and fall, are purple, and often have enlarged outer florets. The plants are grown for their foliage and the flowerheads are often removed to promote vegetative growth. Dusty miller is perennial in zones 8 and warmer and is a good choice for use in a border especially as an edger, with bright colored annuals. The genus name, Centaurea, is from the Greek word kentauros meaning centaur and refers to the myth that a plant in this genus healed the centaur Chiron, a half-man- half horse creature of Greek mythology. The specific epithet, cineraria, is from the Latin word cinereus meaning ash colored and refers to the appearance of the leaves.
Type: Tender perennial sub-shrub; usually grown as an annual
Outstanding Feature: Foliage
Form: Rounded
Growth Rate: Rapid
Bloom: Purple flowerheads in spring and fall
Size: 6-24″ H x 12″ W
Light: Full sun; tolerates some shade
Soil: Average, moderately moist, well-drained; somewhat drought resistant when established.
Hardiness: Zones 8-10
Care: Remove flowerheads to encourage foliage growth
Pests and Diseases: None of significance
Propagation: Tip cuttings in summer and fall; seed
Outstanding Selections:
‘Silver Dust’
Silver Lace’
Photo Credit: Wikipedia