Garden Q&A: Will my senetti plant last another year?

Whether you're a gardening beginner or expert, Irish Examiner columnist Peter Dowdall has the answer to your questions

The vivid magenta and bicoloured daisy-like senetti.

Question

I recently received a senetti plant as a gift. How do I mind it, and will it come back each year?

Answer

Lucky you, Senetti are absolutely stunning plants, and a lovely gift to receive. The vivid magenta and bicoloured daisy-like flowers are hard to resist. In truth, though, they are tender perennials that are really at their best as indoor or conservatory plants here in Ireland. Keep yours in a bright, cool room, a porch, a cool conservatory, or a well-lit windowsill away from direct heat sources. Water regularly, but don't let it sit in water, and deadhead the spent flowers to keep it blooming as long as possible. As for coming back each year, technically, they can, but they're difficult to overwinter successfully and rarely perform as well in their second year. Enjoy it for the spectacular show it's putting on right now, and consider it a wonderful seasonal treat rather than a long-term resident.

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