Description

This showy senecio is one of many plants endemic to Guadalupe Island off the coast of Baja, Mexico. This island is considered the southern limit of the Mediterranean climate zone that defines the California Floristic Province. In its native setting it grows in full sun on rock slopes. Like so many Guadalupe Island endemics, it was decimated and nearly extirpated by the introduction of goats to the island in the late 19th century. Fortunately, this species managed to survive. The ‘Silver and Gold’ selection was introduced by the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden. It forms a fairly tidy ball of oblong, lance-shaped leaves that are nearly white. The leaves are both waxy and hariy, which helps the plant preserve water in its native home. The spring flowers are one inch golden discs which are quite showy. I have noted few pollinators on the flowers in my home garden. Perhaps the plant needs warmer temperatures to produce nectar. ‘Silver and Gold’ senecio has done quite well in San Jose in a sunny, well-draining bed. During the wet winter of 2022-2023 the leaves drooped for a week or so during an extended rain event. The plant recovered nicely once the soil drained.