Senecio ‘Angel Wings’

Senecio ‘Angel Wings’ had everyone talking in Europe

Last year Senecio ‘Angel Wings’ made its big debut in the European market and got the industry buzzing. It’s an unusual plant because there’s nothing else quite like it: a monochromatic display of silver-gray leaves the size of shovel heads, lightly coated with a fuzzy texture and held up by chunky stems. To us this is a display plant, capable of holding the spotlight on its own. But stand back a moment—why does it succeed so well in its job? What’s going on here?

Ghostly oversized leaves morph into many poses

‘Angel Wings’ has several commendable features:

• A large architectural habit that fills the space from the rim of the pot upwards
• Very fuzzy leaves and stems, down to the crown
• Striking poses for the big you-want-to-touch-them leaves
• An attitude of grace and sophistication in the habit as it grows

All of these features are just supporting characteristics of the real presentation power of the plant. What is the most stunning feature of ‘Angel Wings’?

• Lack of color

This plant succeeds by zagging when everything else zigs. This plant is the man whispering in a noisy room and suddenly everyone is listening to him. Whereas other combinations are a riot of color, this plant just vogues in poses of neutral shades. It’s a style that is always in style.

We notice the pottery as much as the plant

‘Angel Wings’ is frequently shown in pots. It grows in that foot-tall by foot-wide range just perfect for medium and large containers. We have to point out that we actually notice the pottery that holds this plant. ‘Angel Wings’ has an architectural habit and nice neutral shade that complement nearly any vessel. Occasionally the container itself is the show—it’s expensive or shows great detail—and we need a plant that allows it to shine, rather than get lost in a riot of color. Senecio ‘Angel Wings’ is good about sharing the stage.

‘Angel Wings’ is often set in the middle because it looks good from any angle

Neutral silver-gray makes this large selection surprisingly versatile. It goes with virtually any room décor and looks interesting from all the angles, since the shimmery ghost-like leaves morph into a number of dramatic poses. As we mentioned, ‘Angel Wings’ knows how to fill a space. It’s a substantial plant that can carry the day all by its velvety self.

These leaves like to “vogue”

That monochromatic magic also works outside. ‘Angel Wings’ likes sun and grows fast so it makes an effective counterpoint in a color garden, or a display specimen all by itself. Obviously, this variety fits well in a silver- or white-themed garden bed. As long as the soil is reasonably good and the water is fairly reliable, ‘Angel Wings’ should thrive.

Use contrast to integrate ‘Angel Wings’ within a garden bed

If you want to combine ‘Angel Wings’ with other plants, we would turn to contrast. For example, we like a sea of tiny, colorful Calibrachoas over which the Senecio will tower—along the lines of Gullivar’s Travels. Another option would be thin quills of short dark grasses along the base.

 Senecio ‘Angel Wings’ is available in the 6-inch pot.