Senecio glastifolius aka Woad Leaved Ragwort

Senecio glastifolius is a perennial plant from South Africa. Its common name is large senecio. It belongs to Asteraceae, the daisy family. The RHS accepts its scientific name as correct. It is not native to Britain or Ireland. Gardeners grow it for its pink to lavender flowers. Its main garden role is in flower beds and borders, where its height suits the back of a planting.

This plant has an upright form and reaches 5 feet [1.5 metres] tall. That height makes it a tall choice for a flower bed. Chicago Botanic Garden places it toward the back of beds. This position gives its tall growth room within a border. In mild climates, its leaves stay green through the year. The sources give no mature width or detailed account of its leaves. They also give no details about its stems or bark.

Daisy-like blooms cover the plant from spring into early summer. Chicago Botanic Garden lists the flowering months as March through June. Each flower head measures about two inches across. Flower colour ranges from pink to lavender. These blooms provide the main show during the flowering season. The plant attracts butterflies and birds, according to the same source. It also resists deer. The evidence does not describe its fruit or explain how birds use the plant.

Full sun gives the best flowering, though partial shade is also listed. Chicago Botanic Garden recommends average water and describes the soil needs as moderate. It does not specify a soil texture or pH range. Its listed hardiness range is USDA zones 9–10. The plant keeps its foliage in these mild conditions. It is not hardy in cold climates. Where frost is a risk, plant it after that risk has passed.

Chicago Botanic Garden recommends a hard winter prune to 1 foot [0.3 metres]. This is a pruning height, not the plant's mature size. Its tall form and seasonal flowers support its use in borders. Deer resistance may also matter when choosing a planting site. The supplied sources name no pests or diseases for this species. They provide no evidence about edible parts, medicinal use, or toxicity. Those subjects therefore remain unassessed here.