Santolina, Dusty Miller, Thyme, Boxwoods

Dusty Miller is grown for its foliage.  However, in bloom, under the right conditions the blooms can be attractive.  Though typically considered an annual, Dusty Miller can act as a perennial in Texas.  (Just as dianthus and snap dragons can act as a perennial in Texas.)

Only mature plants bloom.  These plants are in their third year and actually made it through the ice storm you may remember during the Super Bowl two years ago. 

Senecio Cineraria or Dusty Miller

This acts as a perennial in zones 5 – 6 but can die out with an extended cold period.

Senecio cineraria, commonly known as Dusty Miller, is a low-growing ornamental foliage plant widely appreciated for its silvery-gray, velvety leaves and strong heat and drought tolerance, making it a favorite in Texas gardens and hot-climate landscapes.

Overview of Senecio cineraria (Dusty Miller)

• Common Name: Dusty Miller

• Botanical Name: Senecio cineraria (also found under Jacobaea maritima)

• Type: Herbaceous perennial (often grown as an annual in some climates)

• Mature Size: 12–18 inches tall and wide

• Foliage: Dense, deeply cut, silver-white or gray foliage

• Flowers: Small yellow daisy-like blooms (typically removed to maintain foliage focus)

• Bloom Time: Summer (often trimmed off for ornamental purposes)

• Growth Habit: Compact, mounded

Cultural Requirements

• Sunlight: Full sun for best color and form

• Soil: Well-drained soil; tolerates poor, sandy, or rocky conditions

• Water: Drought-tolerant once established; avoid overwatering

• USDA Zones: 7–10 (may be grown as an annual in colder zones)

• Maintenance:

  • Low-maintenance

  • Prune lightly to shape

  • Deadhead blooms or remove to emphasize foliage

Texas A&M Recommendations

• Recommended by Texas A&M AgriLife Extension and other horticultural programs for:

  • Heat and drought resistance

  • Low water-use gardening

  • Accent plant in mixed borders

  • Contrast in flowerbeds or containers

• Commonly featured in Earth-Kind® demonstration gardens across Texas

• Performs well in central, north, and coastal Texas landscapes

Lifespan and Durability

• Lifespan:

  • Often grown as an annual

  • May persist for 2–3 years or longer in mild Texas winters

• Excellent for seasonal color rotations or as a long-season foliage feature

Design Use in Texas Landscapes

• Popular for:

  • Border edging

  • Container gardening

  • Foliage contrast with vibrant flowering plants (e.g., petunias, lantana, verbena)

• Combines well with purple, red, or yellow-flowering plants for high contrast

Silver Brocade

Silver Brocade is even hardier than Senecia Cineraria and is considered perennial zones 2- 9.

This is Silver Brocade.  It has the broadest leaves of any variety of dusty miller.  In three years Silver Brocade will expand to eighteen inches in width. Plant accordingly if you intend to use Dusty Miller as a perennial.

Surrounding the water girl statue is thyme – three years old.  This roots so easily.  Break off about nine inches.  Strip the first three inches of leaves and stick in with your ferns for the summer.  Plant you lovely plant in the fall.

Silver Brocade (Senecio cineraria ‘Silver Brocade’)

• Common Name: Silver Brocade Dusty Miller

• Botanical Name: Senecio cineraria ‘Silver Brocade’

• Type: Herbaceous perennial (frequently used as an annual in colder regions)

• Growth Habit: Low-growing, compact, spreading groundcover

• Height/Spread:

  • Height: 6–12 inches

  • Spread: 12–18 inches

• Foliage: Soft, silvery-white to light gray, deeply lobed, velvet-textured

• Flowers: Small yellow flowers may appear in summer, though often trimmed off

• Bloom Period: Mid to late summer (if not pruned)

• USDA Zones: 7–10

• Lifespan: Perennial in mild Texas climates; commonly replanted seasonally for foliage interest

Landscape Performance and Cultural Notes

• Sun Exposure: Full sun preferred for best foliage color and compact growth

• Soil Requirements: Well-drained soils; tolerates sandy and poor soils

• Water Needs: Low once established; overwatering should be avoided

• Heat and Drought Tolerance:

  • Excellent for hot, dry Texas summers

  • Performs well in xeriscapes and water-wise gardens

Recognition and Recommendations

• Texas A&M AgriLife includes Silver Brocade among recommended drought-tolerant perennials and Earth-Kind® friendly plants, thanks to:

  • Resilient growth in summer heat

  • Pest and disease resistance

  • Value as a silvery accent in flowerbeds and containers

• Grows successfully in central, north, and western Texas gardens

Design Uses

• Edging plant for formal or cottage-style gardens

• Groundcover for borders and rock gardens

• Ideal contrast to bold-colored annuals like petunias, zinnias, salvia, or purple verbena

• Outstanding in container combinations for year-round texture

A white and gray color scheme is classic.  This is why the white crepe myrtle works so well with this.

Santolina / Lavender Cotton

Santolina, commonly known as Lavender Cotton, is a low-growing, evergreen shrub prized in Texas landscapes for its aromatic foliage, drought resistance, and silver-gray appearance, which offers striking contrast in garden compositions.

Overview of Santolina

• Common Name: Lavender Cotton

• Botanical Name: Santolina chamaecyparissus

• Type: Woody perennial or small evergreen shrub

• Mature Size: 12–24 inches tall, spreading 18–36 inches wide

• Foliage: Silver-gray, finely cut, aromatic

• Flowers: Small, bright yellow button-like blooms

• Bloom Time: Late spring to summer

• Growth Habit: Compact, mounding

Cultural Requirements

• Sunlight: Full sun (at least 6 hours daily)

• Soil: Well-drained, sandy or rocky soils preferred; does poorly in heavy clay

• Water: Extremely drought-tolerant once established

• USDA Zones: 6–9

• Maintenance:

  • Prune lightly after flowering to maintain shape

  • Overwatering or poor drainage can lead to root rot

  • May benefit from rejuvenation pruning in early spring

Texas A&M Recommendations

• Texas A&M AgriLife Extension and other Texas horticultural authorities recommend Santolina for:

  • Xeriscaping

  • Hot, dry climates

  • Deer-resistant landscapes

  • Low-maintenance gardens

• Frequently included in Texas Earth-Kind® and water-wise landscape designs

• Ideal for rock gardens, borders, and herb gardens

Lifespan and Longevity

• Average lifespan: 5–10 years, depending on care and site conditions

• Tends to decline after several years without periodic pruning or rejuvenation

• Easy to propagate via cuttings, allowing for easy plant renewal

Design Use in Texas Landscapes

• Popular as a groundcover, edging plant, or companion plant in Mediterranean-style gardens

• Combines well with other drought-tolerant species such as lavender, rosemary, agave, and ornamental grasses