DUSTY MILLER IN HANGING BASKETS &
HANGING PLANTERS
If you looking for something a little different but with
the potential to be sensational then Dusty Miller may be for you.
Ideal in hanging baskets and hanging planters Dusty Miller with its
attractive silver-gray foliage is stunning. The leaves of the dusty
miller plant are woolly in appearance, and they have a fern-like look.
Alone of combined this plant is great for baskets and planters alike.
While Dusty Miller has nice yellow flowers, many gardeners cut the
flowers off to encourage the silvery leaf growth.
.jpg) Senecio cineraria or Dusty Miller is also known as white diamond
dusty miller, or diamond bedder dusty miller. This plant is native to
countries including the Spain, France, Italy and Greece.
This
southern European native can be grown as a perennial in Zones 9-10, and
as an annual in Zones 3-8. Height is between 8 and 15 inches as annuals,
but in Zones 9-10 some varieties grow 2 to 2 1/2 feet tall, spreading
the blunt-tipped lobes of their 6- to 8-inch leaves equally wide and
sending up 2 1/2- to 3-inch flat-topped clusters of tiny yellow flowers
the second year.
Growing Dusty Miller in Hanging Baskets Dusty miller can be planted
directly into your hanging baskets or hanging planters and is easily
rooted from cuttings. Plants will grow well in almost any soil, but if
the soil is poorly drained roots may rot - so the free drainage afforded
by most hanging baskets makes this an ideal specimen.
 Hanging baskets and planters with Dusty miller should be grown in a
full sun position.
As a rule of thumb, water regularly until the plants are established,
then restrict your watering to a good soaking two to three times a week.
Although drought tolerant your baskets will need extra water if they are
exposed to hot and windy conditions for long periods of time Dusty
Miller has a low mound-like growth pattern, and generally reaches a
height of approximately 12 inches--and a spread of a little over a foot
which makes it great for baskets and planters.
Plants
grown as a perennial produce yellow flower heads that are 1 inch in
circumference in their second year.
Flower heads form in clusters that are around 4 inches across.
However, since dusty miller is used mostly as an annual flowers are
rarely seen. You can plant them fairly closely in your hanging basket
– 4-5 plants on top if top planted, add another 4-6 plants if you intend
to side plant.
If your plants become leggy you can prune or pinch them back.
Pinching back or pruning promotes growth, and the plants will become
bushier and your baskets will look better.
Fertilizing Your Hanging Baskets
Fertilizing isn't necessary, but a good slow release fertilizer can
be applied once the plants are established – once they are approx 4 to 6
inches high is recommended.
We suggest a slow release fertilizer with an NPK ratio of 10-10-10.
This improves plant health and makes them better able to fight off pests
and diseases. An application of a time-released fertilizer that is
designed specifically for flowers will usually last for 2-3 months, so
the first application can be applied in early spring, and the second
application can be applied in mid-summer.
 For
the more organically minded Dusty Miller thrives on bone meal or
pelleted poultry manure can be applied. Other Uses
The foliage looks good and is often used in cut flower arrangements.
Cut and soak the base of the stems overnight before arranging.
Dusty Miller from Proven Winners
Proven Winners offer a great range of plants many of them ideally
suited for hanging baskets, hanging planters and container gardening.
Silver Cascade® Dusty Miller Artemisia stelleriana is one we love.
Click here for more
information on Proven Winners.
A Great Hanging Basket Combination
For a great hanging basket or hanging planter combination use a
14-16” Angel Moss lined hanging basket and the following plants
4 plants Petunia
5 plants Dusty Miller
3 plants annual Black-eyed Susan
4 plants Verbena
5 plants Fuchsia
4 plants Lobelia
You can top plant this – don’t be afraid if it seems like a lot of
plants. Alternatively you can top and side plant your basket or planter
– we suggest you side plant with the lobelia and verbena alternating as
you go. The petunia, dusty miller, fuchsia and black eyed susan can all
be top planted.
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