Planting marigolds is as easy as it gets. A layer of organic mulch will make plants even less dependent on supplemental irrigation. Members of this family include ragweed, chrysanthemums, marigolds, daisies, and . Additionally, the roots have been shown to deter nematodes for up to a year. Angelonia is also called summer snapdragon with its salvia-like purple, white and pink spires that reach a foot or two high. Want something like this next year? Fertilizer is only necessary when the soil is poor. Explore. No problem! Dusty miller doesn't need pruning, but if some of the leaves begin to yellow or if it starts to sprout small flowers, you can clip them off for a more appealing look. Mealycup Sage (S. farinacea) develops deep blue, light blue, lavender . You might try growing this deer-resistant plant along the edge of your pots and planters to help discourage curious nibblers. Japanese Pieris is perfect as a foundation plant or mixed with other broadleaf evergreens for a botanical border. Their edges are less serrated and create a bolder look. Break the soil up and backfill around the marigold, being careful not to damage too many leaves around the plant. Surely Dusty Miller is a plant to be considered as an addition in your garden. that is degrading to another person. Dusty Miller seeds are very tiny and germination requires light. Within 10-15 days, germination will take place. The French marigold, or Tagetes patula, had a similar journey. Invalid password or account does not exist. Native to sunny and warm climates, Tagetes prefer brightly sunny areas with moderately-rich soil. Don't knowingly lie about anyone Like other plants that hail from Mediterranean climates, dusty miller can get by with occasional watering once it is established. We won't share it with anyone else. Excellent pollinator attractants, and long lasting color for garden beds or sunny, mixed container gardens. Dusty Miller plants are grown as annuals in this area, but in zones 9 and 10 they are grown as perennials. In addition, it doesnt tolerate water stress. It will reach places you never intended and fight like a scrappy junkyard dog to hold onto its territory. This makes the marigold a perfect accompaniment to coreopsis, and pretty much every herb you can think of. Dusty miller plants are light feeders and only need supplemental fertilizers in areas with poor soil. Consider size as well, as marigolds range from petite, 6-inch (15 cm.) Girdling is bad news! In contrast, basil mixed with dusty miller brings pollinators, might keep other bugs away, and gives your garden a pleasant scent. The leaves can be easily dried and used in dried arrangements as well. Also, purple and silver is another color mix that pleases the eye, so think about snapdragons, lavender, or pansies as another suitable companion for dusty miller. When you see roots coming out of the drainage hole, it's time to repot. Some varieties are lacy and delicate, while others are slightly lobed. Whether your soil is on the rocky side or is characterized by clay, you can improve your pH (it prefers a range of 5.5 to 6.0) and drainage by amending it with compost. Were your online gardening resource for plant info and inspiration. Dreamstime is the world`s largest stock photography community. Solo arrangements (en masse) or one type of flower in a vase are also beautiful. French marigolds to 3-foot (1 m.) African marigolds that show up best in the back of the flower bed. Cut stems and create small bundles. Uncredited photos: Shutterstock. How could these flowers be something referenced in biblical tales if the Americas werent even discovered yet? Dusty miller is resistant to almost every bug, disease, and trouble you'll find in the garden. Durango offers intense colors with a warm orangish-red center outlined in a softer orange. Ive seen other gardeners plant them when rotating their crops, to ensure healthier soil. He presently resides in Philadelphia and works under the sun as a landscaper and gardener, and by moonlight as a writer. Well-suited flowers include sweet peas, roses, ranunculus, tulips, and daffodils. Antigua Series Flower Seeds, available from True Leaf Market. If you purchase your Tagetes from a retail store youll find a few options in plant size, but the process is always the same. Jamie McIntosh has written about gardening and special occasion flowers for the Spruce since 2011. Here is more about what we do. If their blooms get too wet, they will often turn into a mushy brown mess. Tolerant of heat, drought, and pests, the marigold is about as easy to care for as they come. Marigolds do not repel rabbits, deer, or other animals. It has a mounded growth habit and can spread up to 2 feet but it does not spread wider than that. Use them in commercial designs under lifetime, perpetual & worldwide rights. But if you want something more flowing and natural, consider the following: You can tilt the root balls once theyre planted and before patting down the soil to avoid a repetitive unnatural grouping of plants that are standing straight up like soldiers. Gardeners value these popular plants for more than their appearance, as many think they have pest-repellent properties that help keep nearby plants healthy and free of harmful bugs. Add a handful of peat moss to increase acidity. It does well in containers or as a bedding plant. If you plan to grow the Dusty Miller in containers, you should choose a potted variety that grows in a sunny area. It can tolerate partial shade as well. Theyre vigorous growers that require little care and are happy to deter pests and improve soil health, all while putting on a great show of color through the entire summer. Plants That Don't Attract Japanese Beetles. Create a password that only you will remember. Marigolds are also good in the vegetable garden. Dusty Miller Perhaps the most versatile annual of all time, dusty miller has textural foliage covered in soft, silvery-gray hairs. The difference between dusty miller cultivars can be seen in how dissected the foliage is. Dusty miller thrives in full sun, well-drained soil, and hot weather. Can dusty miller be affected by powdery mildew? Its a deer-resistant plant that doesnt require pesticides or fertilizers. This upbringing keeps him permanently affixed to the outdoors where most of his personal time is invested in gardening, bird watching, and hiking. Dusty Miller. And for more tips on growing edible flowers, be sure to check out some of these selections: Photos by Matt Suwak Ask the Experts, LLC. Be mindful not to water marigolds from the top. Cookies collect information about your preferences and your devices and are used to make the site work as you expect it to, to understand how you interact with the site, and to show advertisements that are targeted to your interests. It wants to grow wildly and will knock over other plants to achieve this. We are no longer supporting IE (Internet Explorer). It calls for 12 dusty miller plants. Looking for Elizabeth Smith? Pick companion plants that need the same amount of moisture to thrive. Your account has been registered, and you are now logged in. If youd like to build a raised bed for your flowers, we can help! Dusty miller grows just six to twelve inches tall, making it perfect for edging borders or beds, or for planting in container gardens. You will start to see germination in about 10 days. Taller plants with blooms that serve as a background for the snapdragons, such as many rose varieties, add color and form as well as height to the snapdragon bed. Like many plants, marigolds are also susceptible to yellow aster. You get all of the benefits that youre looking for with this type of flower, with little of the vigorous competitiveness found in some other varieties. That was a fun line of questioning that led me down the marigold rabbit hole, but youre probably ready to learn about generalized care for these classic flowers. I like to plant the French types with my vegetables because they dont get as pushy as T. erecta, and offer a nice combination of color that matches my tomatoes and cucumbers. 13 of the Best Tall China Asters for the Late Summer Garden, How to Identify and Control Common Canna Lily Pests. Don't Threaten. Companion Planting: Dusty Miller, Marigold, Salvia. The slender leaves of grass form an interesting contrast to the thick stems of the snapdragon flowers. 11. This tough plant blooms all summer long in hot, sunny spots. It maintains good-sized flowerheads but rarely stretches to a height of more than six inches. Capinera, John L.Acceptability of Bedding Plants by the Leatherleaf Slug,Leidyula floridana(Mollusca: Gastropoda: Veronicellidae). If you live outside southeastern Nebraska, visit your local Extension office. Cut off a 6-inch stem with clean, sharp shears. The plant needs good drainage and pH level to grow. The soil should be kept evenly moist. Fully functioning French-style casement hardware on upper and lower doors in antique silver finish. Add slow-release fertilizer to the soil at planting time or provide water-soluble fertilizer at about half-strength every two weeks if needed. Check out these beauties. 07 of 12. After a considerable length of time, the flowers naturalized to the environment of North Africa so that when European settlers visited the region, they assumed the flowers were African in origin. Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Keep an eye on them and thin the seedlings once they start producing a second set of leaves. Try mixing several varieties of snapdragons together in a mass planting using some of each height and planting several different colors for an artist's palette of colors. In areas with heavy soil, you can prevent it by growing your dusty miller plants in containers or raised beds. Botanical name: Pieris japonica Zone: 5 to 8 Height: 9 to 12 feet Soil: Acidic, well-drained Bloom time: Spring Does dusty miller spread? Moreover, it requires very little water and can be grown in the shade. This evergreen shrub has showy cascading white, pink or red flowers and colorful new growth which varies by variety. It's a deer, drought, and disease resistant plant making it an excellent choice for a variety of growing conditions. Silvery Dusty Miller makes for a good companion plant. Sign up to get all the latest gardening tips! The marigold seeds do not need sunlight to germinate, but they do benefit from a clear plastic lid acting as a greenhouse lid. Apr 24, 2017 - Marigolds, blue lobelia, verbena, petunias, coleus, and dusty miller. Place the stem in a container with moistened potting mix. This sun lover prefers full sun exposure and might get leggy if placed in a shady spot. This is more of a problem in clay soils. In the hottest days of the summer, or when youre away on vacation, wheel them to the shade temporarily to save on maintenance and watering. He grew up across the street from a park arboretum and has a lifelong passion for gardening in general and trees in particular. T. erecta can be especially demanding of space in containers. If this happens, use neem oil to protect it and your plant. Find out why. Marigolds are drought-tolerant plants that thrive in sunny, hot weather. . Marigolds are one of the best choices to use when youre a free-spirited gardener who wants their plants to be happy. Bonanza Series Seeds, available from True Leaf Market. marigolds - planted all around your garden will create a rabbit barrier (they hate the smell of the marigolds) spicy globe basil - keep the bunnies . If it is in the shade, the dusty miller should be protected from high winds. When first planting these guys, its best soak the soil thoroughly. Mugwort plants (Artemisia spp.) Here are a few ideas to help you decide what to plant with marigolds: Find more gardening information on Gardening Know How: Keep up to date with all that's happening in and around the garden. Matt Suwak was reared by the bear and the bobcat and the coyote of rural Pennsylvania. Expect tons of flowers and a height reaching between one and two feet. Indoor plants may need even less water since they don't get as much direct sunlight. Marigolds are fairly resilient. Its silvery leaves look stunning when paired with cool purple and blue flowers, and it also pairs well with hot red and orange flowers. In more shade, the silver look of the leaves will be less intense, and the plants will look more green. Dusty Miller is a compact growing annual with silvery ornamental foliage. Try combining marigolds, tomatoes, basil, and alyssum in a planting. Start seeds indoors about six to eight weeks before the last freeze and transplant those beauties right into the ground for fast satisfaction and a headstart on your neighbors. Choose flowers that complement your snapdragons' height. It can also accommodate and be accommodated by ornamental grasses. Keep in mind that wilting may be a sign of too much, not too little, water. Keep an eye on them and thin the seedlings once they start producing a second set of leaves. Just make sure you refer to it as Mad Man Matts Plantastic Arrangement when your family and friends ask about it. It needs a bright, sunny spot to grow properly. The key to mixing all these colors: planting in swaths to avoid a spotty effect. Controlling the Invasive Pharaoh Ant. With its trademark silver foliage, dusty miller looks good in any combination of plantings, and it's a good bedding plant. Mugworts are even more drought-tolerant than silver dust due to their deeper perennial root systems and are good candidates for the rock garden. However, the dusty miller will not bloom well in low light, and will eventually lose its silver-leafed color. On the other hand, if your soil is dense and heavy (think clay), youll want to dig a hole thats wider and deeper than the root ball by about 50%. Marigolds can be susceptible to root rot as well, if they are over watered. Read up on 10 wildflowers that do well in the suburbs. Growing Conditions: Full sun to part shade in evenly moist, well-drained soil Size: Up to 18 inches tall Zones: 7-10 Buy It: Dusty Miller Plant ($17, The Home Depot ) 03 of 19 Tricolor Sage Andreas Trauttmansdorff Pungent herbs with brightly colored leaves make great companions for annual flowers in pots and planters. Grand Garden Show 2022. Keep dusty miller thriving in your yard with this care guide. Dusty Miller. See 12 more pretty and easy plant combinations. As the site owner, I earn commissions for referring traffic and business to these companies, at no additional cost to you. Not much height to the sun-loving flowers in this bed, but theyre certainly not lacking firepower. Before we get too far into this, I have a confession: So, if you were expecting an article about these annual flowers thats written with journalistic detachment, youre out of luck. Sometimes the heat of the summer. Better Homes & Gardens - 100 years of powering your passions at home. Plant dusty miller in your garden to add silvery brightness amid colorful flowers or lots of greenery. Fertilizer Dusty miller plants are light feeders and only need supplemental fertilizers in areas with poor soil. There are a number of vegetable plants that can benefit from the addition of marigolds in the garden. The Dusty Miller plant has a unique look. If purchased from a garden center they tend to be sold in eight-packs, my choice for best-bang-for-your-buck when buying live plants. Moonsong Deep Orange Seeds, available from True Leaf Market. Ive specifically planted marigolds with petunias, alyssum, dahlias, and another favorite of mine, chamomile. . Bloom Time: Continuous Attracts: Bees, Butterflies Features: Cut Flower Flower Color: Red Mature Plant Size: 4-feet tall x 30-inches wide Habit: Upright Foliage Color: Green Plant Needs. These include Portulaca (aka moss rose), cosmos, Mexican sunflowers, Cleome, petunias, dusty miller, marigolds, and zinnias. You can plant them in almost any area that receives sufficient sun, and are an ideal choice when youre planting with style. The registered office location is at 5745 N Genoa Way Apt 13-101, Aurora, CO 80019. Snapdragons have come a long way since the plant's early days of few cultivars and one basic type of flower. The leaves are deeply notched, so they need afternoon shade. Dusty Miller plants grow to a height of about 12 inches, and just about as wide. Here are some common vegetables that enjoy marigold companions: When planting flowers and foliage plants as marigold plant companions, select those that share the same growing conditions. It is tolerant of temperatures between 40 and 80 degrees. 80-84, 2020.doi:10.1653/024.103.0413. Snapdragons flower in pastel, solid and two-toned primary colors. Dusty Miller | Key Growing Information. I find the best solution when planting almost any herbaceous plant, annual or perennial, is to simply rip of the bottom of the root ball. 21800 SW 162ND Ave. Miami, Florida 33170| (800) 327-7074 You can always spot my home by the wall of marigolds Ive got growing in the front yard. The varieties were discussing today are botanically known as Tagetes and are indigenous to the Americas. (Yes, heres how), Japanese Pachysandra (Pachysandra terminalis). It doesn't necessarily repel bugs, but insects seem to leave it alone. If the yellow blooms detract from your plant's appearance, shear them off as they appear. Its been a treat writing this for our readers! Dusty miller tends to be resistant to pests and disease. The seeds are tiny and should be sown on the surface of a moist, sterile, soilless mix. Dusty Miller Flower is popular with Floral Designers for Summer Wedding Bouquet, Winter Wedding Bouquet, Fall Wedding Bouquet, and Spring Wedding Bouquet. Be Truthful. Dig into our season-by-season guide to annual flowers. Dusty miller is toxic to humans, dogs, and cats. Portulaca << RETURN TO PRODUCTS. Threats of harming another Plants grown in containers are similarly tolerant of drought and only need to be watered when the top few inches of soil become dry to the touch. See our list of deer-resistant plants to encourage Bambi to walk on by. Read our. Slugs enjoy snacking on dusty miller plants, especially in flowerbeds that receive frequent irrigation. The Dusty Miller Plant is also known as Silver Ragwort and has silvery gray foliage that makes excellent companions for many Flowers. Germination generally occurs within 10 to 15 days. Ideal as a companion plant, the marigold often is planted as a border or buffer around a garden, since the pungent scent is so offensive to pests. Place the container in an area where the temperatures range from 65 to 75 degrees and where the seeds can receive lots of light. Its best to place the plant in the sun for 6 8 hours each day. French marigolds to 3-foot (1 m.) African marigolds that show up best in the back of the flower bed. They take off easily from seed, either grown indoors during the winter months or sown directly into the soil when its warmer out. This is standard practice with most plantings. The foliage is softly felt and is the ideal complement to other flowers in the garden. Plant Characteristics. In trees, girdling roots can be a major problem years down the road, as the roots practically strangle the tree. PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK. In soil too heavy or too wet, there's a much higher risk of root rot developing. dusty miller; marigold; verbena; Photo Credits: USDA - Ken Hammond. Dusty miller thrives in heat, thanks to its Mediterranean origins. After the roots have developed you can set the young plans in individual pots. Id recommend purchasing your marigold seeds from a retailer, online or in person, rather than collecting your own. Like in garden beds, dusty miller's silvery tones add a lot to container gardens and hanging planters. Dusty miller preparations that are not certified and labeled "hepatotoxic PA-free" are considered UNSAFE. You can find out more about our use, change your default settings, and withdraw your consent at any time with effect for the future by visiting Cookies Settings, which can also be found in the footer of the site. As a Mediterranean plant, dusty miller thrives in hot, sunny climates. I trust youve enjoyed this affectionate look at the delightful marigold. Rainfall is often enough for these tough flowers. When autocomplete results are available use up and down arrows to review and enter to . Theres enough variety in these choices to make some pretty stunning and edible combinations. Dusty miller does best in full sun but will tolerate part shade. Dusty miller is a tender perennial that's only winter-hardy in Zones 7-10. Our articles, blogs, tips, and photos help you use plants to beautify your living spaces and enhance your life. The jaws are fused open, which makes the flowers resemble butterfly wings. M Scotti Blackmon Garden Images Prune it back with sharp, sterile shears to just above ground level and mulch with pine needles or straw. . If you want to grow it in the shade, make sure the plants are compatible with each other. In certain rare circumstances, your plants may fail to bloom. Although many gardeners grow snapdragons as annuals, replacing the plants each spring, some snapdragons are reliably winter hardy in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 9 to 11 and, with care, may overwinter in the warmer areas of Zone 8. Another surprise is that dusty miller's yellow flowers may appear in its second growing season. They are vigorous growers and prolific bloomers from mid-spring through late fall. The seedlings should germinate about a few days, at which point they should start receiving about six hours of light a day. She was a feature writer for Organic Gardening at Suite101, where she won awards for her writing. Vanilla is my go-to choice when I want a white colored flower that pairs well with zinnias. Safe and Poisonous Garden Plants. . Some species, such as Calendula officinalis, share similarities with our friend Tagetes, and even have a common nickname of marigold. We have a troubleshooting guide for that. The best way to check if dusty miller needs watering is to feel the soil. This prevents wet feet, but it also accounts for the eventual settling of the soil that will occur. Amazon.com Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Dusty Miller is grown mostly as a border plant or used in containers. Plop individual plants where you want them to go,preferably while theyre still in their nursery pots, to avoid prolonged root exposure. Petite would be my marigold of choice when used as a companion plant. Basil plants are exceedingly sensitive to cold; start seeds indoors or sow outside only after all danger of frost has passed. In addition to attracting slugs, excessive watering can cause root rot in dusty miller plants. By creating an account you agree to the Hunker. GARDENER'S PATH IS A REGISTERED TRADEMARK OF ASK THE EXPERTS LLC. Disco Series Seeds, available from True Leaf Market. Well look at a few favorites for you to pick through here: Reaching heights of up to 4 or 5 feet and topped with massive pom-pom flower heads, Tagetes erecta can be a bit of a bully in some plantings. The silvery look of the leaves comes from numerous tiny white hairs that are most prominent on the undersides of the leaves and the stems. Learn tips for creating your most beautiful home and garden ever. When youre finished planting, give your new transplants a nice drink of water, then check on them in the next day or two to see if they need more. Some also tout themselves as "weatherproof," meaning the flowers don't close up when water splashes them. If you dont have enough sunlight, the dusty miller plant will survive but will lose its silvery foliage. This is my tribute to the peerless marigold, recognizing its great virtues and its hangups as well, with unabashed affection. Deer stay away from dusty miller, so it's a good choice to use around other plants that deer like to eat. After last frost date, take the seedlings outside to begin hardening off process. Choose the right plants and you can have color despite the darn deer! Companion planting is the practice of growing different plants together. Since these plants are heat and drought tolerant, they are also long-lasting. 2023 Gardening Know How, Future US LLC, Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, New York, NY 10036. If your soil isnt too dense, the planting hole only needs to be about 10% larger than the root ball, just enough to backfill some soil. Product photos via True Leaf Market. 1, pp. Dusty miller is fun to look at, as well experience from a tactile standpoint because the leaves are so soft and fuzzy. With shorter French varieties, Ill tilt the plants about 20 degrees so theyre facing forward, or whatever direction I want them to face. If grown in a sunny area, this plant will complement the other plants with ease. It prefers a sunny location. Space them according to the information on their tags, and step back to look at the setup. 27 of the Best Lily Varieties with a Guide to Divisions, 27 of the Best Lily Varieties with a Guide to Divisions, .slick-slider#wpsp-83657 {margin-left: 0px; }.slick-slider#wpsp-83657 .wp-show-posts-inner {margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; }#wpsp-83657.wpsp-card .wp-show-posts-single {margin-bottom: 2em; }.slick-slider#wpsp-83657 .wp-show-posts-single {margin-bottom: 0px; }#wpsp-83657 .wp-show-posts-inner {background-color: #ffffff; }#wpsp-83657.wp-show-posts .wp-show-posts-entry-title {font-size: .9em; }.wp-show-posts-columns#wpsp-83657 {margin-left: -2em; }.wp-show-posts-columns#wpsp-83657 .wp-show-posts-inner {margin: 0 0 2em 2em; } Keep moist and warm, then transplant once new leaves begin to grow. One variety of the flower is even fed to chickens so that egg yolks have a more perfect yellow color. Today. While you can plant marigolds alongside flowers of similar hues, you can also choose plants in complementary colors. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); document.getElementById( "ak_js_2" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); .slick-slider#wpsp-83656 {margin-left: 0px; }.slick-slider#wpsp-83656 .wp-show-posts-inner {margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; }#wpsp-83656.wpsp-card .wp-show-posts-single {margin-bottom: 2em; }.slick-slider#wpsp-83656 .wp-show-posts-single {margin-bottom: 0px; }#wpsp-83656 .wp-show-posts-inner {background-color: #ffffff; }#wpsp-83656.wp-show-posts .wp-show-posts-entry-title {font-size: .9em; }.wp-show-posts-columns#wpsp-83656 {margin-left: -2em; }.wp-show-posts-columns#wpsp-83656 .wp-show-posts-inner {margin: 0 0 2em 2em; } Despite its xeric nature, the plant still needs a little water and regular fertilizer. Luke Miller is an award-winning garden editor with 25 years' experience in horticultural communications, including editing a national magazine and creating print and online gardening content for a national retailer. In this case, less variety in flowers and less variety in color add up to more visual oomph. While the silver-white leaves of this plant are delicate, they are not as delicate as those of other plants. The ideal conditions are 8 hours of direct sunlight. Download Dusty Miller Marigold stock photos. You will be happy you purchased some for your garden. Plant outdoors 8 inches apart in pots or 10 inches apart in the ground. I also set some Dusty Millers in a flower bed along with bright colored marigolds. The dusty miller plant is very drought-tolerant. Dusty miller looks fantastic in all kinds of containers, including hanging baskets and window boxes. We'd love to hear eyewitness In addition to developing weaker and less prolific blooms, when grown in the shade, they become susceptible to powdery mildew and a host of rots that affect buds and stems. The current entity status is good standing. Luckily for the home gardener, snapdragons can grow in soil that ranges from acidic to slightly alkaline and composed of clay, sand or loam. If you forget it, you'll be able to recover it using your email address. Dusty Miller (Jacobaea Maritima, formerly Senecio Cineraria) is a beautiful plant with silver, gray or almost white leaves. (No, heres why), How Far Apart To Plant Hostas (Explained), Why is Agapanthus Not Flowering? Several plants are known as dusty miller. Seedlings turn into rounded mounds of foliage that grow to about 1 foot tall the first year. See Elizabeth's age, contact number, house address, email address and public records in our names directory Dusty miller Fuchsia Lobelia Marigold Morning glory Nasturtiums Pansies Petunias Portulaca Snapdragon Statice Sweet alyssum Sweet pea Photo: The flowers and plants in the flower container shown above! Its a lot easier to make changes at this stage, instead of when the plants are already in the ground. Colorful ribbons of flowers make an artistic statement in this sun-loving flower garden bed. Keep a diligent eye out for spider mites when the weather is hot and dry, and look for little weblike buildups on plants to indicate their presence. All Rights Reserved, Most annual flowers bloom nonstop, providing a seemingly endless show of color in your yard. Welcome to Schwartz's Greenhouse! The seeds should be sown on top of moist soil and left uncovered. A: That's pretty frustrating. I like using my trusty pruners to cut the top portions of the bamboo stakes away to just below the height of the top flower of a marigold, effectively hiding the presence of these stakes in the garden. Plant Gardener is supported by readers. Dusty miller is a tender perennial grown for its silvery foliage, which is popular as a cut-flower filler for fresh or dried bouquets. Foliage: Artemisia, dusty miller, basil, eucalyptus, lemon verbena, mint, oregano, perilla. Sow the seeds in biodegradable seed starting trays and cover with a thin layer of vermiculite, perlite, or potting mix. Dusty miller comes back every year in warmer climates, such as USDA zones 8, and after some mild winters in zone 7.