Senecio cineraria (C. maritima) 'New Look' – the silver-leaved jewel for every garden

Senecio cineraria, also known as Cineraria maritima or Silverleaf, is a striking and low-maintenance plant that enhances gardens, borders, and pots with its unique silvery foliage. The 'New Look' cultivar is known for its compact, robust growth and decorative silver-gray leaves, making it a perfect choice for gardens with a modern and stylish accent.

Characteristics of Senecio cineraria 'New Look'

This beautiful ornamental plant is distinguished by the following characteristics:

• Foliage: densely covered, downy silver-grey to grey-white, ideal for contrast in borders

• Height: compact, usually 25–35 cm, suitable for edging and pots

• Growth habit: bushy and compact; combines well with flowering plants

• Flowering: Small yellow flowers may appear, but the foliage remains the main ornamental aspect

• Location: sun to partial shade; well-drained soil

Thanks to its striking silver-gray foliage, Senecio cineraria 'New Look' creates a lively and modern accent in any garden.

Benefits of Senecio cineraria 'New Look'

This cultivar offers several advantages:

1. Low maintenance – requires little care, tolerates dry periods

2. Decorative foliage – provides a striking silver accent all season long

3. Compact and sturdy – ideal for borders, pots and patio boxes

4. Versatile – combines beautifully with colorful summer bloomers such as petunias, geraniums or lavender

5. Winter hardiness – slightly winter hardy, in milder climates it can remain beautiful all year round

These properties make the 'New Look' an ideal choice for gardens that want to combine colour and texture with simplicity and ease of maintenance.

Location and care

Senecio cineraria 'New Look' grows best in a sunny to lightly shaded spot with well-drained soil. Some care tips:

• Sunlight: full sun for optimal leaf color; partial shade is also possible

• Soil: well-drained, slightly dry; avoid wet, clayey soil

• Watering: moderate; the plant tolerates drought better than wet feet

• Pruning: removing faded flower stems and yellowed leaves encourages more compact growth.

• Nutrition: Light fertilization during the growing season promotes healthy leaf development.

With this care, the plant will remain a silver-gray eye-catcher in the garden all season long.

Application in the garden

Senecio cineraria 'New Look' is versatile and can be used in various ways:

• Borders – creates a striking silver contrast with colorful summer bloomers

• Patio planters and pots – ideal for combinations with bright flowers or other foliage plants

• Rock gardens – drought tolerant and winter hardy, perfect for sunny, well-drained spots

• Combinations – beautiful to combine with lavender, salvia, geraniums, petunias or sedum for a varied effect

Thanks to its compact growth and silver-gray foliage, the plant remains visually attractive throughout the season.