{"product_id":"silver-fountain-dusty-miller-centaurea-cineraria-silver-fountain","title":"Silver Fountain Dusty Miller - Centaurea cineraria 'Silver Fountain'","description":"\u003cp\u003eSilver Fountain Dusty Miller (\u003cem\u003eCentaurea cineraria\u003c\/em\u003e 'Silver Fountain') is a bold silver foliage plant, 1m to 1.5m tall and wide, that grows in broad, arching clumps of finely cut leaves that feel like suede. In spring and summer it carries tufty purple flowers, a little like its cornflower relatives, which bees and butterflies visit. It is far larger than the common dusty miller sold as bedding, and it grows quickly.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhy you'll love it\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSilver all year.\u003c\/strong\u003e The deeply cut silver-grey leaves hold their colour through the seasons and make a cool backdrop for greens, purples and pinks.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eA big, soft presence.\u003c\/strong\u003e The arching clumps build a fountain shape that gives a border structure and invites a touch.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFlowers that bees love.\u003c\/strong\u003e Purple pompom-like flowers appear in spring and summer and draw bees and butterflies.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eEasy care.\u003c\/strong\u003e Once settled it asks for little more than a tidy-up of dead leaves at the end of autumn.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSuits dry gardens.\u003c\/strong\u003e It enjoys drier climates and sunny, free-draining spots, so it fits waterwise planting.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhere it works best\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCottage gardens and flower borders.\u003c\/strong\u003e Plant 1m apart for a close silver drift, or 1.5m apart if you want each clump to show its fountain shape. Purple, pink and blue flowers look especially clear against the silver.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWildlife friendly gardens.\u003c\/strong\u003e The flowers feed bees and butterflies, so it earns a place in a pollinator planting.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDry, sunny positions.\u003c\/strong\u003e Use it on a hot bank, in a gravel garden or on a sunny verge where green foliage would struggle. Alkaline, sandy soils suit it well.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eGrowing Silver Fountain Dusty Miller in Australia\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePosition and climate.\u003c\/strong\u003e Full sun and a dry climate suit it best. It is frost tolerant in sheltered locations, so in frosty districts plant it against a warm wall or fence. In humid or wet summer regions silver foliage can turn patchy, so choose the sunniest, best drained spot with good airflow.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSoil.\u003c\/strong\u003e Alkaline, sandy or loamy soil that drains freely. Heavy, wet clay is the main risk, so build up a mound or choose another spot.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWater and feed.\u003c\/strong\u003e Water until the plant is established, then water only in prolonged dry spells. Too much water or rich feeding makes soft growth.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePruning.\u003c\/strong\u003e Little care is needed. Remove dead leaves at the end of autumn to improve appearance and plant health.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhat to expect when it arrives\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe sell Silver Fountain Dusty Miller as tube stock, a young plant in an 80mm deep tube that establishes quickly. It starts small but grows fast, and a tube is an economical way to fill a bed with a drift of silver.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTube stock comes from our grower and is not always available. When the grower has none, the tube shows as sold out on this page, and the notify button emails you the day it is back.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePlants are delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95. Every plant is covered by our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003ePlant care guides and related reading\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/drought-tolerant-plants\"\u003eDrought tolerant plants\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/bee-and-butterfly-plants\"\u003eBee and butterfly friendly plants\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/blogs\/blog\/creating-a-beautiful-cottage-garden-in-australia-insiders-guide\"\u003eHow to create a cottage garden in Australia\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/blogs\/blog\/perennial-plants-for-a-cottage-garden\"\u003ePerennial plants for a cottage garden\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eCommon questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eHow big does Silver Fountain Dusty Miller get?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt reaches 1m to 1.5m tall and wide, much larger than the species form. Give it room to arch.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eIs it the same as the small bedding dusty miller?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt is a larger selection with the same silver foliage idea. Silver Fountain forms wide, arching clumps and is much bigger than the species form.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eWill it cope with humidity?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt prefers drier climates. In humid regions, plant it in full sun, in free-draining soil with good airflow.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eCan it take frost?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt is frost tolerant in sheltered locations. In colder gardens, plant it in a protected spot such as against a wall.\u003c\/p\u003e\n","brand":"Nursery Near Me","offers":[{"title":"Tube (Backorder)","offer_id":67790234157375,"sku":"CEN-CIN-SILVER-tube","price":14.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0691\/2917\/5359\/files\/silver-fountain-dusty-miller-centaurea-cineraria-silver-fountain.jpg?v=1792197085","url":"https:\/\/nurserynearme.com.au\/products\/silver-fountain-dusty-miller-centaurea-cineraria-silver-fountain","provider":"Nursery Near Me","version":"1.0","type":"link"}