Silver-leaved Senecio provides a very long season of interest with its foliage alone which shines out from the border. The foliage is the main feature of this perennial between spring and autumn, but it throws in an additional splash of colour in summer when it's topped with clusters of yellow blooms. Also known as Shining White Ragwort, Senecio is perfect for gravel gardens or the sandy, free draining soils often found in coastal areas. It's a half-hardy perennial which is suitable for sheltered gardens in areas with mild winters. It can be grown in colder areas but it's likely to need winter protection where temperatures regularly fall below around -1C.

How to plant

— Senecio are supplied in autumn for planting between September and December, and in spring for planting between February to May. In either case, they should be planted very soon after delivery.

— Senecio are supplied as 9cm root ball plants. They are live plants and will require light and water after transit. It's important to remove them from the packaging within 1-2 days of delivery. If you can't plant on the day of delivery, unpack on arrival and sit the plant in a dish of water outdoors, then plant within a week.

— Root ball plants may be planted directly into well prepared borders if soil and temperatures are favourable. The soil in the border must be prepared in advice - dug over to loosen and weeds removed. Avoid planting in close proximity to more established plants which will compete with the young plant. When supplied in autumn, or at any time when growing conditions are more challenging or temperatures will be cold, these plants should be potted up and grown on in temporary 2 litre (15-20cm diameter) pots, using a good quality multi-purpose compost, and grown on until they are more established before transferring into borders.

— Plant root balls so that the roots are fully submerged. Position the plant so that the top of the root ball sits level with the soil surface, with any top growth exposed above soil level. Backfill the hole and firm down gently. Water thoroughly after planting.

— Plants which have been grown on in pots first can be transplanted to borders once they are more established and when risk of harsh frosts is passed. They are ready to transfer into borders when the plant easily comes out of the pot with the soil held intact by the roots.

— When transplanting to borders, choose a position in full sun with free-draining soil. Avoid soils that sit wet in winter as this can cause Senecio to rot. Allow 30cm between plants.

— Water regularly, particularly during the first year. They do not like to be in wet conditions all the time, but should be watered whenever the soil feels dry below around 3-5cm from the surface. Once established, they are drought tolerant plants and prefer to be in fairly dry conditions most of the time.

Aftercare:

— Senecio is an evergreen perennial and should retain is foliage through the winter months. New growth will emerge each spring.

— Deadhead the faded blooms after flowering in summer to tidy the appearance of the plant.

— Cut back the old stems to 3cm above ground level in spring.

— This perennial is half hardy which means it can tolerate light, occasional frosts in free-draining soil. It is necessary to protect it over winter in areas where regular frosts or freezing temperatures are likely. This perennial can be grown in a container and moved under cover for winter, or grown outdoors in sheltered areas with mild winters, covering during cold snaps.