Senecio candidans Angel Wings

Senecio candidans Angel Wings is a new and exceptional selection of maritime cineraria, with large undivided leaves that appear to be made of white-silver velvet. This undershrub forms a ball of light in the sun or shade and throughout the year and will enhance all the flowers in the garden. You can use it for multiple associations with contrasting textures and colours or harmonious, in white or pastel compositions. 'Angel Wings' is not very hardy so will need to be grown in pots to overwinter in cold regions. In the garden, this senecio adapts to any well-drained, even poor soil, copes well with dry summers and requires no watering once well established.

Senecio 'Angel Wings' is a recent Chilean creation, awarded a bronze medal at Plantarium in 2016. It is a superb descendant of the Senecio cineraria var. candicans, now known as Jacobaea maritima. This plant is appreciated for its almost white and highly divided foliage and is known as maritime cineraria. It is native to the Mediterranean basin, where it is often found anchored in the sand and among rocks, not far from the sea. All Senecio belong to the Asteraceae family. This species is perfectly adapted to salt spray and summer drought.

'Angel Wings' differs with its large undivided, almost white leaves. It is a woody undershrub, with rapid growth, whose stems turn a little woody over time. The plant has a spreading habit, wider than it is tall. When grown in a pot, it will reach about 50 cm (20in) high and 70 cm (28in) wide. In the ground, it will measure up to 90 cm (35in) high and 1 m (3ft) wide. 'Angel Wing' is grown for its unique foliage, covered in a soft down. It is this down that is responsible for the white of the leaf, which becomes greener when wet. As is often the case for plants with grey, white or silver foliage, the leaves will be a lighter in colour in drier conditions. This foliage persists all year round, even in winter.

It briefly flowers from June to September depending on the climate, in the form of branched umbels of numerous small dark yellow to mustard yellow flower heads, which can be removed to avoid exhausting the plant. The seeds disperse easily with the wind, thanks to their large white bristles.

This maritime cineraria goes well with all other plants, shrubs, perennials or annuals, modest or lush, with bright colours and soft shades, dark foliage, in white flower beds... Also create beautiful planters with Pennisetum setaceum Rubrum, Velvet Curtains amaranths or red and bright pink geraniums. It is a good plant for dry gardens or coastal areas, for example in large silver flower beds, with artemisias, Centaurea pulcherrima, curry plant or Atriplex. With red salvias (shrubby or herbaceous) or magenta coquelourdes, 'Angel Wings' will create a rich harmony, a feast for the eyes!