Brachyglottis greyi, or maybe you know it as Senecio greyi, is one of those plants I’d been eyeing for years before finally making the purchase. What took me so long? The flowers are ugly!
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I’d see it in the nurseries and fall hard every time for the blue/grey, spoon-shaped, felted foliage with dense, white, powdery undersides. Add the thin white outline around the edge of each leaf and wow, gotta have it! But then I’d remember the flowers. I finally came to my senses last year and realized I cut the flowers I don’t like off other plants, why not this one?
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Since one of my favorite things about this plant is the underside of the leaves I got lucky with its placement. Planted next to the front steps I can see the backsides glowing even from inside the house.
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Pretty fabulous no?
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Pinching the plant to keep it compact and get rid of any flower buds has made for a very full little shrub.
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I’ll let it grow over the summer though because last year I saw this image (source). And would really like to recreate something similar next Christmas with cuttings.
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The stats:
So about those flowers...as usual when I decide I must have something I fall for it in a big way, I planted two Brachyglottis greyi last summer, one in a place where I don't see it up close and personal every day. It managed to flower when I wasn't paying attention, I guess they aren't that bad...
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So have you ever not bought a plant because of the look of it's flowers? Do you ever cut the flowers off your plants? And of course I want to know what's looking good in your garden this week...
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All material © 2009-2014 by Loree Bohl for danger garden. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited and just plain rude.
I’d see it in the nurseries and fall hard every time for the blue/grey, spoon-shaped, felted foliage with dense, white, powdery undersides. Add the thin white outline around the edge of each leaf and wow, gotta have it! But then I’d remember the flowers. I finally came to my senses last year and realized I cut the flowers I don’t like off other plants, why not this one?
Since one of my favorite things about this plant is the underside of the leaves I got lucky with its placement. Planted next to the front steps I can see the backsides glowing even from inside the house.
Pretty fabulous no?
Pinching the plant to keep it compact and get rid of any flower buds has made for a very full little shrub.
I’ll let it grow over the summer though because last year I saw this image (source). And would really like to recreate something similar next Christmas with cuttings.
The stats:
- common name Daisy Bush, native to New Zealand
- broadleaf evergreen shrub, to 4-5 ft tall and 6 ft wide, although reportedly easy to keep smaller - an important feature for where I planted it!
- likes sun, does well in coastal environments
- cold hardy to USDA Zone 8
- drought tolerant, deer resistant
So about those flowers...as usual when I decide I must have something I fall for it in a big way, I planted two Brachyglottis greyi last summer, one in a place where I don't see it up close and personal every day. It managed to flower when I wasn't paying attention, I guess they aren't that bad...
So have you ever not bought a plant because of the look of it's flowers? Do you ever cut the flowers off your plants? And of course I want to know what's looking good in your garden this week...
All material © 2009-2014 by Loree Bohl for danger garden. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited and just plain rude.