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GENERAL
Origin
:
Mediterranean,
sub-tropical,
tropical
Humidity
:
semi-arid, semi-
humid
Propagation :
direct sowing,
sowing and
pricking out,
cuttings, division
Maintenance :
low
CONDITIONS
Urban climate :
resistant
Dessication :
resistant
Stagnant water :
vulnerable
Irrigation
:
low
Salinity/ppm :
low (1000 ppm)
Hardiness
:
-9°C
SHAPE
Type
:
perennial,
sub-shrub
Height
:
0.3 m-0.4 m
Spread
:
0.3 m-0.6 m
Foliage
:
evergreen
FLOWER
Colour
:
yellow
Size
:
1.5 cm
Period
:
April - May
FRUIT
Type of fruit :
achene
Fruit size
:
1 cm
This is a relatively short-lived perennial, with rosettes of striking, silvery-grey, lobed leaves. It is
known commonly as Dusty Miller and has its origin in the Mediterranean and Croatia. It is to
be found in Arriyadh in gardens and sometimes parks, where it has adapted well to the desert
climate. The plant grows to a height of about 30 cm and produces side-shoots to about the same
diameter. The fat, thistle-like, bright-yellow flowers show off well against the grey foliage. Plants
thrive and grow fast, at first making compact mounds in dry or minimally irrigated even poor,
stony, well-drained soils. Propagation is by seed or cuttings taken by pulling a ‘heel’ from the
parent plant. Cuttings root relatively easily and it is therefore possible to replace the parent plant
quickly when it has become worn out. Plants can also be lifted and divided in winter. They are
generally frost-tolerant and pest-free. With its silvery foliage, C. ragusina is a useful plant for
creating colour contrasts in the garden; it also blends well with desert plants in an arid situation,
where such plants often also have grey foliage. Relatively maintenance-intensive, although it can
be left to run wild, it does not have any particular landscape value for large-scale schemes.
93
Centaurea ragusina,
Asteraceae
Dubrovnik Cornflower,
Dusty Miller