Ajania pacifica aka Gold And Silver Chrysanthemum

Ajania pacifica is a low perennial in the aster family. Gardeners also call it gold and silver chrysanthemum. It comes from coastal sites on Honshu, Japan's main island. Older names include Chrysanthemum pacificum and Dendranthema pacificum. Its silver leaf edges and yellow blooms explain its common name. Gardeners grow it for both its leaves and late flowers.

The plant forms a dense mound with a shrubby look. Garden plants reach about 1.5–2 feet [0.46–0.61 metres] tall. Lower plants may stand just 0.67 feet [0.20 metres] high. They spread to 3 feet [0.91 metres] through underground rhizomes. Some plantings reach 4 feet [1.22 metres] across over time. The straight stems bear simple leaves in an alternate pattern. Each blue-green leaf has lobes and a scalloped, silver edge. Fine silver hairs cover the underside and feel soft. Leaves measure about 1.5–2 inches long. Plants lose their leaves or keep some through winter.

Small yellow flower heads rise above the leaves in clusters. Each head holds many tiny, tube-shaped flowers. The heads look like buttons rather than broad daisy blooms. Their flat-topped clusters, called corymbs, span 3–4 inches across. Bloom timing varies from late summer into late fall. October is a main flowering month in garden records. Bees and butterflies visit the flowers for food. Cut stems hold their flowers well in a vase. The plant makes small, dry fruits called achenes.

Grow it in full sun with soil that drains well. It also tolerates part shade and a range of soils. Afternoon shade helps in places with hot summers. Poor soil is suitable when water can drain away. Moist soil suits growth, but the plant also tolerates drought. Salt tolerance makes it useful in coastal gardens. Sources place it in USDA zones 5–9 and UK rating H4. Plants may need winter cover in zone 5. Wet ground in winter can kill them. Pinching tall stems in early summer helps keep growth dense.

Use it as ground cover or along a border's front. It also suits rock gardens, pots, and cut-flower beds. Divide plants or take stem cuttings to make more. Garden sources report few serious problems, but several pests can occur. These include aphids, leaf miners, mites, earwigs, and eelworms. Grey mould, powdery mildew, and white rust may affect plants. Contact with the plant can cause an allergic skin reaction. Wear gloves when handling it.