(aka: Senecio kleiniiformis) We have been fascinated with the bizarre South African Senecio tropaeolifolius that has thrived in our full sun alpine rock garden since 2003. For us, nasturtium-leaf spear head has made a small evergreen clump to 8″ tall x 15″ wide. Mature clumps are topped with 2′ lax spikes of terminal clusters of bright yellow, daisy-like flowers starting in late June (NC). The tropaeolum (nasturtium)-like, thick, silvery grey foliage looks more like a tender sedum than a hardy, rock garden plant. Where it isn’t winter hardy, Senecio tropaeolifolius makes a great container plant, forming an incredible swollen caudex. We have found Senecio tropaeolifolius extremely easy to grow even without protection from winter moisture.
