Genus |
Description |
Cultivation |
Acanthospermum
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Acanthoxanthium
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Achillea
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Acosta
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Acroptilon
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Actinea
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Actinomeris
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Adenocaulon
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Ageratina
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Ageratum
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Agoseris
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Amberboa
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Ambrosia
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Amphiachyris
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Anacylus
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Anaphalis
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Antennaria
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Anthemis
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Apargia
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Arctium
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Arnica
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Arnoglossum
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Arnoseris
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Artemisia
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This genus of about 300 species of evergreen herbs and shrubs is spread throughout northern temperate regions with some species also being found in southern Africa and South America. It is a member of the large daisy family but most species bear small dull white or yellow flowers of no ornamental value. The beauty of these plants lies in their attractive foliage which is well dissected and of palest gray to silver. The plants are frequently aromatic. Tarragon, the popular culinary herb, is a member of this genus. |
CULTIVATION: These shrubs are ideal for hot dry areas as most can withstand considerable drought. They should be grown in full sun in well-drained soil. Their silvery leaves provide an attractive foliage contrast in borders and when clipped some species can be used as a low hedge. Prune quite hard in spring to prevent legginess and lightly clip at flowering time if the flowers are not wanted. Propagation is usually from softwood or half-hardened cuttings in summer. |
Aster
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Baccharis
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This genus belonging to the daisy family consists of approximately 350 species and is native to North, Central and South America. These shrub or herb perennials bear male and female flowers on separate plants; they are deciduous or evergreen. Some species have no leaves, so photosynthesis takes place in the adapted stems. The flowers are daisy-like and grow in corymbs or panicles. Some species are used to make dye and in medicine. They are often grown as ornamentals in coastal areas as they are salt air tolerant. |
CULTIVATION: Fully hardy to frost tender, these plants do best in good soil in full sun. Softwood cuttings should be taken in summer, while seed should be sown in spring. |
Balsamita
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Bartlettina
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Found in tropical and Central America and Mexico, this daisy-family genus comprises 23 species of evergreen shrubs and small trees. They form a dense, many branched crown with young stems that are usually covered with fine hairs. The leaves are lance-shaped to oval, often with toothed edges, and the corymbs or panicles of daisy-like flowers, which occur in a variety of shades, appear mainly in summer. |
CULTIVATION: Most species grow extremely freely and may be somewhat invasive. Plant in moist well-drained soil with a position in full sun or partial shade. If necessary, trim to shape after flowering. Propagate from seed or half-hardened cuttings. |
Bellis
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Bidens
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Boebera
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Boltonia
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Brachyactis
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Brachychaeta
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Brachyris
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Brauneria
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Brickellia
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Cacalia
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Calendula
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Calliopsis
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Callistephus
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Calyptocarpus
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Canadanthus
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Carduus
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Carlina
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Carthamus
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Centaurea
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Centipeda
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Chaenactis
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Chamaemelum
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Chamomilla
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Chondrilla
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Chrysanthemum
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Chrysogonum
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Chrysopsis
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Cichorium
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Cineraria
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Cirsium
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Cnicus
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Conoclinium
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Conyza
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Coreopsis
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Cosmos
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Cota
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Crassina
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Crepis
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Cupularia
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Cyclachaena
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Cynthia
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Dendranthema
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Dieteria
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Diplopappus
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Dittrichia
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Doellingeria
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Doronicum
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Dracopis
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Dyssodia
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Echinacea
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Echinops
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Eclipta
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Elephantopus
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Erechtites
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Ericameria
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Erigeron
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Eupatoriadelphus
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Eupatorium
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Eurybia
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Euthamia
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Filaginella
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Filago
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Fleischmannia
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Franseria
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Gaertneria
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Gaillardia
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Galinsoga
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Gamochaeta
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Gifola
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Gnaphalium
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Grindelia
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Guizotia
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Gutierrezia
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Haplopappus
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Hasteola
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Helenium
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Helianthus
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Heliomeris
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Heliopsis
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Hemiachyris
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Hemizonia
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Heterotheca
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Hieracium
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Hymenopappus
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Hymenoxys
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Hyoseris
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Hypochaeris
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Inula
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Ionactis
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Iva
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Ixeris
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Krigia
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Kuhnia
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Lacinaria
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Lactuca
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Lappa
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Lapsana
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Lasallea
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Leontodon
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Lepachys
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Lepidanthus
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Lepidotheca
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Leptilon
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Leptoseris
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Leucacantha
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Leucantha
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Leucanthemella
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Leucanthemum
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Liatris
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Logfia
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Lygodesmia
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Machaeranthera
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Madia
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Malacothrix
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Mariana
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Marshallia
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Maruta
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Matricaria
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Megalodonta
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Melampodium
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Melanthera
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Mesadenia
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Microseris
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Mikania
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Mulgedium
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Mycelis
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Nabalus
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Nardosmia
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Nothocalais
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Oclemena
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Oglifa
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Oligoneuron
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Oligosporus
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Omalotheca
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Onopordum
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Ormenis
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Osteospermum
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Packera
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Parthenium
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Petasites
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Phaethusa
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Picris
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Pityopsis
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Pluchea
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Polymnia
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Prenanthella
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Prenanthes
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Prionopsis
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Pseudognaphalium
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Pterophyton
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Pyrenula
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Pyrethrum
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Pyrrhopappus
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Ratibida
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Ridan
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Rudbeckia
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Santolina
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This Mediterranean genus is composed of some 18 species of largely similar evergreen shrubs that form low hummocks. Slender stems are crowded with narrow leaves that have finely toothed or lobed margins and are often clothed in silvery hairs. The leaflets may be so heavily downy that they can be hard to distinguish from the equally downy leaf stalks. Clusters of button-like flowerheads, usually bright yellow, appear in summer. |
CULTIVATION: Hardy to moderate frost, these shrubs thrive in a warm sunny position and are ideal for dry banks and as border plants. They need perfect drainage and resent overly wet winters but are not fussy about soil type as long as it is reasonably loose and open. Santolina species respond well to regular trimming, which keeps the bushes neat and compact. It is also advisable to remove the dead flowerheads, as they are not attractive once they have dried. Propagate from small cuttings or by removing self-rooted layers. |
Sanvitalia
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Scolymus
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Senecio
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There are 1,250 species in this cosmopolitan genus of trees, shrubs, lianas and herbaceous annuals, biennials and perennials within the family of Asteraceae/Compositae. Although it has lost quite a few species to genera more recently recognized, it is still one of the largest genera of flowering plants. The leaves are lobed or smooth-edged, and the daisy-like flowers are usually arranged in corymbs. Appearing with or without florets, the flowers are usually yellow but can be purple, white, red or blue. Many senecios are toxic to livestock. |
CULTIVATION: With such a large genus the cultivation requirements are as diverse as the plants, so general guidelines only can be given. They grow in either moderately fertile well-drained soil in full sun or moderately fertile soil that retains moisture; a few will grow in bog. Plants that are grown in pots in colder climates will need fertile well-drained soil with added grit and leaf mold. They should be fed and watered moderately during the growing season. Propagation is from seed or cuttings. |
Sericocarpus
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Serinia
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Seriphidium
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This genus is a member of the large daisy family and is closely related to Artemisia. It contains about 60 species of aromatic annuals, perennials and shrubs that are found in northern temperate regions. They have alternate leaves that are deeply dissected, and the small flowers are of little interest. The plants are grown primarily for their silver or gray foliage. |
CULTIVATION: These plants tolerate a wide range of soils, including those with low fertility. They are useful for growing in difficult dry areas and do best in a warm sunny position. Propagation of the shrubby species is from softwood or half-hardened cuttings taken in summer. |
Serratula
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Sideranthus
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Sigesbeckia
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Silphium
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Silybum
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Sitilias
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Smallanthus
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Solidago
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Sonchus
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Stenactis
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Stephanomeria
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Symphyotrichum
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Synedrella
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Synedrellopsis
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Synosma
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Tagetes
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Tanacetum
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Taraxacum
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Tetraneuris
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Thelesperma
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Tragopogon
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Trimorpha
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Tripleurospermum
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Tripolium
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Troximon
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Tussilago
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Unamia
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Verbesina
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Vernonia
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Viguiera
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Virgulus
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Weberaster
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Xanthium
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Xanthocephalum
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Ximenesia
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Youngia
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Zinnia
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