Although most gardeners refer to these plants as cinerarias their correct name is Senecio. The species Senecio cruetuus comes from the Canary Islands where it grows as a perennial. It was introduced into England about 200 years ago and is the main parent from which today's cineraria hybrids have been raised.
Owing to the fact that cinerarias bloom in the winter and spring months, they have always been very popular plants. An enormous number of hybrids have been raised, which offer such variety in both size of plant and shape of flower that plants are available to meet any grower's requirements. Cinerarias tend to have very large leaves, and if the larger varieties are grown the plants take up far too much room in the frame and greenhouse. For house decoration it is better to grow the dwarf or compact plants.
In appearance a cineraria in flower looks rather like a bouquet of daisy-type flowers surrounded by bright green leaves. The colour range of the flowers is enormous and includes many different shades of reds, pinks, maroons, blues, orange and white in selfcolours and bi-colours. There is also a variety with star-like flowers.
