I’ve never been fishing. I don’t see the attraction. Sitting around for hours with very little action. Just not my scene. But, this month’s plant wouldn’t exist if it
weren’t for one particular fishing trip back in 2002!
It’s Senecio ‘Angel Wings’.
How was this plant created?
Plant developer and businessman Lyall Fieldes was a man who couldn’t stop thinking about plants, even on a scheduled day off during a business trip to Chile. He was taken fishing by his hosts in the Patagonia region, and during the trek to a suitable ‘fishing hot spot’, he was taken by a rather distinct silver plant which he almost stepped on. The plant stood out amongst the other vegetation,
due to its silver sheen, but also its robust size.
What happened next?
This intriguing plant next found itself on the other side of the world, as Gentian breeder Takashi Hikage visited from Japan and immediately took a liking to the plant.Takashi-san became No. 1 in Japan thanks to a rich understanding of current needs, whilst also grasping future needs. He expressed interest in testing and marketing these Senecio plants in Japan, where he knew the tactile nature
of the plant would be popular.

Tests were then carried out in the mountainous northern region of Honshu Island, and selections were made for the Japanese conditions and market, and the silver beauty proved popular. However, Lyall still wasn’t sure if the European market would take a liking to a new foliage plant like this. Foliage had not been
popular for many years.
A couple of years later, new plant developer Ron Hoogeveen from CNB New Plants in Holland was visiting Takashi-san in Japan. He saw some potential in this plant and started showing some European traders. In fact, I remember one rainy afternoon in Lisse, Holland and Ron came into the office where I was visiting with one of these plants. Even I wasn’t sure about it; foliage really didn’t sell well,
and especially not silver.
However, Peter van Rijssen and Ron soon began a sophisticated propagation and marketing programme, researching the markets where the Senecio could prosper.
What’s different about this plant?
Senecio ‘Angel Wings’ has very few comparisons; perhaps Stachys byzantina (Lambs Ears) would be the nearest match, with its silver downy leaves. Of course, ‘Angel Wings’ is much bigger than that, with Bergenia-sized leaves. The colour is slightly grayer than the myrtle flower with long stamens. The texture is addictive and businessmen even started stroking it 10 minutes into meetings with Peter and Ron! It’s kinda silky, soft, bouncy – you may even want to
bury your face in it!
The popularity of ‘Angel Wings’ has shocked the world, and I love seeing how creatively it can be used. The boom in sales may be partly due to the fresh ‘urban jungle’ trend taking hold, which has also elevated forgotten sub-shrubs
such as Coleus and Strobilanthes.

Plants don’t often flower, in fact I’ve only seen it once. But, it is quite the event, as the whole plant almost explodes and reaches for the sky, with a spurting
flower cluster of snowy white blooms!
Where can you plant Senecio ‘Angel Wings’?
Thanks to its Southern Chile heritage, ‘Angel Wings’ is not only drought tolerant, but also salt tolerant, so a welcome relief for those dealing with gardens by the sea. Despite that, it’s fast-growing and clumps up well! Hardy to -5C, it makes a handsome accent for your border or summer bedding scheme. In pots, it’s a fantastic mixer, or simply allow it to shine on it’s own.
Senecio ‘Angel Wings’ also has a bright future as a houseplant, where it enjoys a well-lit position and moderate watering. Sprigs of ‘Angel Wings’ have even been used in some modern ‘bouqs’ (trendy new name for bouquets!)
How will you use yours…?

Where can you buy this plant?
Plants are available in garden centres across Europe and the USA, or by
mail order from here in the UK and here in the USA!

How to grow Senecio ‘Angel Wings’:
(USDA Zone 8a -currently testing in 7b)
Size: 45cm (18”) high x 45cm (18”) in spread
Shrub of the Month is sponsored by Concept Plants, a company based in the USA who handle the introduction of new plants into the US.
It can actually be quite easy to spot new plants, as nature often does the breeding work for you! Natural variation is referred to as a ‘sport’, or you may find a new hybrid has appeared in your garden by itself. To hunt down these new plants, it’s all about noticing differences. Make sure you take time out to get to know the plants in your garden, and if any seem different to the norm, let me know!
See every Shrub of the Month here.
Elaine olley
I have an angel wings plant but I think it’s in trouble. It’s in a conservatory but it’s getting taller and very leggy .bottom leaves are very droopy. Its leaves keep curling its had black spot but I sprayed it now it’s got whitefly please help
Elaine olley
Sorry I its black fly not black spot
Sara
My angel wing plant is being eaten by small beetle like bugs what can I do ?
Debbie Yuhr
I started with a beautiful Senecio Angel Wings but something happened – long story short, I lost all the middle but then I saw this plant can be rooted from those cuttings I was going to toss. So I used rooting powder and put them in succulent soil. I have NOT watered the cuttings yet – when is it safe to do so??
Patricia Long
I have been growing Angel wings for about 3years now and have found them easy to propagate have got several in my garden n have given many away, there real fun n touchy
Lisa
Patricia, I’d like to buy one from you. They’re very hard to find! Let me know if you’re interested.
Thanks- Lisa
Jen
Patricia, do you still have any available? Please let me know I absolutely love this plant!!
VICTORIA DOHERTY
i have just bought an angel wi gs plant 7 noitced a new leaf growing fro it but how do i take a cutting from it ?
Barbara Acton-Bond
I have two of these plants and both are doing badly. What soil should I use? I’m desperate because they keep wilting.
Marc
I have one and it’s grown big and flowered with some lovely yellow flowers – but what do I do with it when the flowers start to die.
Lilian Bee
Can I get this plant in Australia
Dawn Swan
What’s eating my angel wing?
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Sue Rumer
Actually I have a question. I live in zone 5 in the US. How would I go about wintering these plants? Can they be dug up from my flower bed and potted? Just thinking bout losing them is making me sad.
Rosanne
Since no one else answered, Id pot them and bring them inside for the winter as houseplants. Next year think about putting them in plastic containers and then put them in the soil. Easier the next time round. BTW Im in zone 5 too.
Deborah
I have a couple of angel wings I was questioning wether the leaves can get wet? My lower leaves that touch the soil when damp appearance is now a light green some feel hard and some not is their a suggested way of watering them? Imput would be appreciated
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Peggy Libertoski
Where can I purchase an angle wing plant?
donald rioux
how to take care for them as an indoor plant
Heather Meek
I planted one last year, it is now unbelievably 70cms (28”) and has started flowering. It’s taken very little care, I added fish, blood & bone when planting & left it out over winter. I’m in the UK so some frosts, I’d add a photo if I could as it’s quite beautiful.
Aline
My angle wing is loosing the smoosh white cover and leaving a green leaf which seems to be under it. Very strange. What could be causing that and how to fix it?