Ajania pacifica
( aj - AHN - ee - uh pah - SIFF - ick - uh )
At-A-Glance Information
|
This genus of perennial plants is commonly called Gold and Silver Chrysthanthemum and is now officially listed under the botanical name Chrysanthemum pacificum. These plants need full sun and regular water. Native to central and eastern Asia, this plant has had many names over the years and is prized for its foliage, bright fall flowers, and durability. This plant forms a trailing mound 1 foot tall and 3 feet wide, with dark green leaves that turn up at the edges, revealing the fuzzy white underside. Great as a bank planting or as a perennial border, but can also be used as a groundcover or grown in containers. Lower leaves will die off in summer heat if the plant doesn't receive adequate water.
|
Ajania pacifica Varietals
Gold and Silver Chrysanthemum is part of the family Asteraceae and grows best in zones 3-24. To find your zone, click here: Zone Map.
|
'Pink Ice' This species has light pink-petaled flowers. |
|
Ajania pacifica is now found under the botanical name Chrysanthemum pacificum. To see more Chrysanthemum species, visit the following link:
Caring for Ajania pacifica
These plants can be grown in many different soils, including chalk, clay, loam or sand. They prefer full or partial sun and should be planted after the last danger of frost has passed in Springtime. Cut them back after bloom in mild-winter regions, and back a third after new growth begins in the spring to encourage a more bushy habit and more profuse blooms.
Propagation
Ajania pacifica can be propagated either through division, by cuttings or by seed. If you are looking for an exact clone of your plant, you will want to propagate via cutting or division, as seed propagation does not guarantee you will get a plant with the same characteristics.
Propagating Ajania pacifica by Cutting
The best time to take cuttings from an existing Yarrow plant is in late spring or summer. To propagate by cutting, you'll need clean, sharpened garden shears, potting mix a pot (or pots, depending on how many cuttings you'll be taking), and a pencil. Once you've gathered your materials, follow these instructions:
Propagating Ajania pacifica by Seed
Before trying this method, keep in mind that propagation by seed does not ensure that you will end up with the exact same plant as you harvested the seed from. If you are looking for an exact clone of the parent plant, propagate by division or by cutting. To complete this propagation method, you will need to allow your flowers to stay on the plant long enough to come to seed, so do not completely deadhead your plant. Seeds will be mature and ready to harvest when the flowers have dried and are brown in color. Cut the flower heads off of your plant at this time, and take the seeds out of their pods. For pictures of the dried flowers and seeds, see the images below. To grow Ajania pacifica from seed, follow these directions:
Propagating Ajania pacifica by Division
Division is probably the easiest way to propagate these plants. The idea behind this method is that you are taking an existing clump of live plants and breaking it into smaller segments. Division should be attempted only when the plant is not in its blooming period. To use this method, you will need a clean shovel, clean pruning saw, extra pots if you are not going to immediately plant your divisions in the ground, and well-draining soil to fill the pots (again, if you will not be planting your divisions directly into the ground). To propagate your Ajania pacifica by division, follow the instructions below:
Propagating Ajania pacifica by Cutting
The best time to take cuttings from an existing Yarrow plant is in late spring or summer. To propagate by cutting, you'll need clean, sharpened garden shears, potting mix a pot (or pots, depending on how many cuttings you'll be taking), and a pencil. Once you've gathered your materials, follow these instructions:
- Choose a plant to propagate. It should be a healthy plant, with new growth and should get some water the night before you take your cutting. Pick a healthy stem tip that has new buds on it and make a 3-4-inch cutting. Cut quickly and evenly to take the healthiest cutting possible.
- Add potting medium to your pot, and give it some water, ensuring that it has good drainage. Make a hole with your pencil in the medium, about two inches down. Dip your cutting in rooting hormone and place your cutting in the hole and fill in soil around it. Pat down just enough so the cutting stands up by itself. Give it some water.
- Keep the soil around your plant somewhat moist as it grows, and ensure that it is in a place that gets bright indirect light and stays at a temperature of between 50-60 degrees Fahrenheit. Once the danger of frost has passed the next spring, you can transplant your cutting to its final home outdoors.
Propagating Ajania pacifica by Seed
Before trying this method, keep in mind that propagation by seed does not ensure that you will end up with the exact same plant as you harvested the seed from. If you are looking for an exact clone of the parent plant, propagate by division or by cutting. To complete this propagation method, you will need to allow your flowers to stay on the plant long enough to come to seed, so do not completely deadhead your plant. Seeds will be mature and ready to harvest when the flowers have dried and are brown in color. Cut the flower heads off of your plant at this time, and take the seeds out of their pods. For pictures of the dried flowers and seeds, see the images below. To grow Ajania pacifica from seed, follow these directions:
- Gather your materials. You will need a pot or seed tray and planting medium. Any type of potting soil will do; these plants are not very picky; just ensure that it has good drainage.
- Prepare your pot or growing tray by filling it with potting medium. Ensure that it is well-draining by watering it and monitoring water retention.
- Place your seeds on top of the potting mix, spaced about 4- 6 inches apart. Sprinkle potting medium over the top until the seeds are covered. As the seeds are starting out, it is best to use a spray bottle to add moisture to avoid uncovering their light soil topping. Keep the soil moist as the seeds develop, using a seed tray cover or plastic to cover your pot to keep moisture in and humidity high.
- Continue to monitor for moisture and adequate soil covering until the seeds start to sprout, which should take 2 to 4 weeks. Once the chance of frost has passed by, seedlings can be transplanted to a sunny area of the garden. Keep the soil moist as the plant develops.
Propagating Ajania pacifica by Division
Division is probably the easiest way to propagate these plants. The idea behind this method is that you are taking an existing clump of live plants and breaking it into smaller segments. Division should be attempted only when the plant is not in its blooming period. To use this method, you will need a clean shovel, clean pruning saw, extra pots if you are not going to immediately plant your divisions in the ground, and well-draining soil to fill the pots (again, if you will not be planting your divisions directly into the ground). To propagate your Ajania pacifica by division, follow the instructions below:
- Identify the area of plants you're going to divide. Start by loosening the soil around the plant with your shovel, working your way inward to avoid causing damage to the roots. Once you've gotten your clump out of the ground, lay it out on its side.
- Divide the clump into segments, either with your shovel or with a pruning saw, as many as you'd like as long as there are at least three 'shoots' per segment. Lay them out on the ground.
- If you will be planting your Ajania pacifica in the ground, this is when you'll prepare your new hole. Dig a hole (large enough to accommodate the root ball of the clump you are planting) in the ground with your shovel in a sunny location with soil that is well-draining. If you have issues with drainage in your garden, amend with loamy soil before planting. Backfill and water generously.
- If you are transporting your division elsewhere, or hanging on to it until you're ready to plant it, you'll need your pot filled with soil. Dig a hole large enough to accommodate the root ball of your division, and place your new plant in the soil. Water generously, ensuring that adequate drainage is occurring. Place the pot in a sunny location until you are ready to plant it in the ground.
Problems and Pests
Ajania pacifica does not suffer from pest or disease issues.
Gallery
These versatile plants are great for rock gardens and along walkways.
|
This plant looks great when paired with purple blooms, like those of Mexican Sage.
|
Even when not in bloom, Ajania pacifica is beautiful.
|
Videos
There are currently no videos available.
Resources
The New Sunset Western Garden Book: The Ultimate Gardening Guide (2012) - Page 140, Ajania pacifica
If you have any questions, comments, concerns, or photos you’d like to add to the gallery, please let me know by sending me a message using the button below!
