Senecio pulcher (Tyerman's groundsel) — perennial

Overview

Senecio pulcher is a perennial in the genus Senecio, part of the Asteraceae family. Senecio pulcher grows best in full sun and partial shade, and tolerates well-drained soils. Suggested uses include ornamental. It is native to South America.

About

Senecio pulcher is a perennial in the Asteraceae grown for its radiate flower heads bearing long red-purple rays around a yellow disc. Native to South America, it favours reliably moist, well-drained sites. It flowers in the UK from June to September. Plants do best in positions that receive full sun or partial shade.

Wikipedia contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0 — Senecio pulcher

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

In the garden

Senecio pulcher (Tyerman's groundsel) is a perennial from South America valued primarily as an ornamental for its showy, radiate flower heads with long red-purple rays and a yellow centre. In cultivation it behaves as a summer-flowering herbaceous perennial and will produce its blooms from June to September in the UK. Grow it where it receives full sun or partial shade and where soil remains moist but drains freely; overly dry conditions will reduce flowering. Choose a site with well-drained soil that still holds moisture through the growing season rather than a freely drying, sandy bed. Establish plants in spring and water through dry spells while roots become established. Routine feeding in spring with a balanced fertiliser encourages robust flowering without excessive leafy growth. Use Tyerman's groundsel in mixed perennial borders, near ponds or damp gravel areas, or at the back of a summer border where its upright flowerheads can be seen above lower companions. Its combination of red-purple ray florets and yellow centres is most conspicuous during the June–September flowering window and provides late-summer colour along sheltered, moisture-retentive planting sites.

Growing conditions

Best soil and position for Senecio

Sunlight: full sun, partial shade
Soil type: well-drained
Soil moisture: moist

Plant details

Senecio pulcher size, habit and characteristics

Plant type: perennial
Suggested uses: ornamental
Native to: South America

Care notes

Pruning and caring for Senecio pulcher

Cultivation: Prefers moist, well-drained soils in full sun to partial shade. Suitable for garden borders and rockeries.
Pruning: Deadhead spent flowers to encourage further blooming.
Propagation: Seed, cuttings