Jacobaea maritima Seeds | Dusty Miller
LATIN NAME: Jacobaea maritima
COMMON NAME: Dusty Miller
Plant Profile
Dusty Miller (Jacobaea maritima) is a low, bushy, perennial in the daisy family. Dusty miller is silver lace of summer border, and small, yellow flowers open in loose clusters above fine, silver leaves. Plant is a fine, generous presence of sunny bed, and it is a plant of open, sunny, well-drained ground. Gardeners value it precisely for this blend of qualities.
Science & Biotechnology
The species features in the wider study of the daisy family, and its traits make it a useful subject for work on germination biology, cultivation and ornamental selection. Gardeners benefit directly from its long cultivation: what the plant will do in a garden is well understood.
Uses & Benefits
In the garden, Dusty Miller earns its place in borders, containers and mixed plantings, and it also rewards growers who raise plants for cutting, drying or kitchen use. Dusty miller is a fine, generous plant of sunny border and summer bed. It has been written up in horticultural papers for silver lace and easy ways, and it is a fine, generous plant of open, sunny, well-drained garden. Cut old stems back in early summer and fresh, silver lace will come again from the base. It takes hold quickly and asks for no special treatment from then on.
Ragworts contain pyrrolizidine alkaloids toxic to livestock and people, so they are wildlife plants for cinnabar moths, never herbs.
Growing from Seed
Dusty Miller grows readily from seed. Sow thinly on the surface of a loose, well-drained seed compost, cover lightly, water in gently and keep the tray in a sunny spot with even moisture. Once the seedlings have made true leaves, pot them on individually and plant out when they are sturdy and conditions are right.
Our Take
Dusty Miller earns its space through character rather than fuss. Fresh seed sown into evenly moist compost is most of the battle won.
Related Reading
Readers interested in Dusty Miller frequently explore these as well: