Overview
Senecio angustifolia is a columnar upright herbaceous perennial in the genus Senecio, part of the Asteraceae family, with semi evergreen foliage. Senecio angustifolia grows best in full sun and partial shade, and tolerates loam and sand soils and acid and neutral pH. Its UK hardiness is rated H4. Suggested uses include city and courtyard gardens, cottage and informal garden, patio and container plants, flower borders and beds and wall side borders.
About
Senecio angustifolia is a columnar upright cultivar of the diverse Senecio genus, which includes annuals, perennials, shrubs, and climbers, some with succulent traits. This semi-evergreen plant thrives in full sun or partial shade, favouring sheltered, south-, east-, or west-facing aspects. It grows best in fertile, well-drained loam or sandy soils with an acid to neutral pH. Hardy to UK zone H4, it is suitable for city and courtyard gardens, informal borders, patios, and container planting. Interest is mainly in spring and summer, with propagation by seed sown with heat or division in spring.
About the genus
Senecio is a genus of flowering plants in the daisy family (Asteraceae) that includes groundsels and some ragworts. Variously circumscribed taxonomically, the genus Senecio is one of the largest genera of flowering plants. Plants of the World Online currently accepts 1482 species.
Wikipedia contributors, "Senecio", CC BY-SA 4.0 — Senecio
Growing conditions
Best soil and position for Senecio
- Sunlight
- Full sun, Partial shade
- Soil type
- Loam, Sand
- Soil pH
- Acid, Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Well-drained
- Aspect
- South-facing, East-facing, West-facing
- Exposure
- Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H4
Plant details
Senecio angustifolia size, habit and characteristics
- Plant type
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Habit
- Columnar upright
- Foliage
- Semi evergreen
- Suggested uses
- City and courtyard gardens, Cottage and informal garden, Patio and container plants, Flower borders and beds, Wall side borders
Care notes
Pruning and caring for Senecio angustifolia
- Propagation
- Seed sown with heat in spring, Division in spring as growth begins
- Pest resistance
- Mealybugs, Scale insects, Glasshouse red spider mite
- Disease resistance
- Rust, Honey fungus
Frequently asked questions
Where is the best place to plant Senecio angustifolia?
Senecio angustifolia prefers full sun and partial shade. It suits sheltered positions.
What soil does Senecio angustifolia need?
Senecio angustifolia grows best in loam and sand soil. It prefers acid and neutral soil. Aim for soil that stays well-drained.
Is Senecio angustifolia hardy in the UK?
Senecio angustifolia has an RHS hardiness rating of H4, meaning it is hardy through an average UK winter, tolerating -10 to -5°C.
How do I propagate Senecio angustifolia?
Seed sown with heat in spring, Division in spring as growth begins.
From the Fenn Plants journal
- Notes on DaffodilsWhen to plant daffodil bulbs in the UK, how deep, how to naturalise them in grass, why daffodils stop flowering (“blindness”), and why you should never mix cut daffodils with other flowers.
- Keeping Your NerveHow to garden through a heatwave — the best time to water, why deep soaks beat daily sprinkles, caring for pots and vulnerable plants, and why you can let the lawn go brown.
- Made to LastHow to clean, store and protect garden pots and planters — the frost-proof vs frost-resistant difference, winter care for terracotta and ceramic, and how to reuse a broken pot.
More in the Senecio genus
- Senecio cinerariaSilver Ragwort
- Senecio cineraria 'Hoar Frost'Hoar Frost Dusty Miller
- Senecio cineraria 'White Diamond'White Diamond Dusty Miller
- Senecio doronicumchamois ragwort
- Senecio pulcherTyerman's groundsel
- Senecio smithiiMagellan ragwort
- Senecio tanguticus
- Senecio clivorum