Can you propagate dusty miller

Propagate dusty miller from seed in late winter, several weeks before the last spring frost is expected in your area. The selected container should have drainage holes in the bottom to prevent over-watering. Sprinkle the dusty miller seeds across the surface of the mixture. Do not cover the seeds -- they will not germinate without sufficient light. You can take more than one if you have a lot of garden space or pots to fill but never cut more than one-third of the stems from any one plant.

When deciding how many plants you will need, remember that though they may look like sprigs to start, as the cuttings mature they will fill in to 8 to 15 inches wide. Cut the stem, or stems, with the pruners or scissors from 4 to 6 inches down from the tip, under a node -- a little nub on the stem, usually just under where a leaf emerges. Cut the stem at a degree angle to provide the maximum rooting surface.

Snip the leaves off the bottom two-thirds of the cuttings with the scissors. Pulling the leaves off can damage the stem. Removing the leaves decreases the potential for rot. Pour a small amount of powdered rooting hormone into a paper cup or other small, disposable container. Silver dust is not marketed as a blooming plant, and while not all plants will produce the yellow fuzzy flowers, they increase the beauty of mature plants.

Silver dust needs full sun to stay compact and keep their fabulous foliage color. Plants growing in shade are leggy and produce fewer of the hairs that give them their silvery color. Silver dust plants adapt to a variety of soils, but good drainage is key for healthy plants. Whether your soil is on the rocky side or is characterized by clay, you can improve both your pH and drainage by amending it with compost.

The fuzzy growth that gives silver dust its sheen also helps plants stand tall in periods of drought. Like other plants that hail from Mediterranean climates , silver dust can get by with occasional watering once it is established. A layer of organic mulch will make plants even less dependent on supplemental irrigation. One inch of water per week is enough to keep silver dust growing strong. It does not like soggy conditions.

As a Mediterranean plant, silver dust thrives in hot, sunny climates. Excessive humidity isn't a problem as long as plants have adequate spacing and a position in full sun. Silver dust plants are light feeders, and only need supplemental fertilizers in areas with very poor soil.

In this case, it's better to feed and improve the soil at the same time by adding organic matter like well-rotted manure or leaf mold. The difference between silver dust cultivars can be seen in how dissected the foliage is. Some varieties are very lacy and fine, while others are only slightly lobed.

Mugwort plants Artemisia spp. However, mugworts are more reliably hardy to zone 4 and also grow in a more mounding shape, in contrast to the upright form of silver dust. Mugworts are even more drought tolerant than silver dust due to their deeper perennial root systems and are good candidates for the rock garden. Amend poorly draining soils before planting your dusty miller by adding sand or grit. A mature dusty miller plant can survive extended periods without water. However, it is a good idea to offer weekly irrigation throughout summer to keep the plant in the best health.

Dusty miller plants thrive in full sun, though they will tolerate partial shade. If you want the most vibrant silver foliage color, you should ensure your dusty miller plant gets at least 8 hours of sun each day. This plant will survive in low light, but it will be at the cost of the intense silver leaf color. Dusty miller plants grown in the shade also have a tendency to become leggy, as the stems branch out in search of sunlight. A full-sun position will help the plant to maintain a more attractive compact form.

If you must position the plant in partial shade, make sure the shaded time is during the afternoon. This will offer the plant some relief from high temperatures during the hottest time of the day, though generally speaking, the plant tolerates heat well.

The plant is hardy in USDA zones 7 through 10, though it can be grown in cooler zones than this as an annual rather than a perennial. The plant tolerates heat well, but in hot climates, it would benefit from afternoon shade where the temperature will be a few degrees lower Missouri Botanical Garden.

Dusty millers can be grown from seed or from stem cuttings. To grow from seed, you can sow seeds directly outdoors once the final frost has passed, or sow them inside on a seed tray anywhere between 10 and 15 weeks before the last frost is predicted.

Germination typically takes between 10 and 15 days. Grow your seedlings inside by maintaining moist soil and transplanting them to larger containers when they are an inch or two in height.