Emerging flower buds of Ajania pacifica. Photo by Cosima Wolter.

A. pacifica foliage - perhaps the main reason it is sought by gardeners.

The rayless flowers of A. pacifica. Photo from 四季の花 (Flowers of the Season).

Compare this plant to:

Brachyglottis hybrids

Salvia discolor

	'mouse-over' for meanings
	habit silhouette and scale

Ajania pacifica   (Nakai) K. Bremer & Humphries 1993

Asteraceae

gold and silver chrysanthemum, beach chrysanthemum

Endemic to Japan's coast from Inubo Point on the Boso Peninsula down to Omae Head in Shizuoka, and around the coasts of the Izu Oshima islands.

Synonymy: Chrysanthemum pacificum Nakai 1928; Dendranthema ornatum (Nakai) Kitam. 1978

This perennial prized for its attractive, white or 'silver' edged foliage resulting from the extension of white tomentum on the leaf underside. The lobed shape of the leaves remind one of chrysanthemums (Dendranthema ×grandiflorum), showing the close relationship to this genus. It typically forms a dense foliage mound to 18-24in / 45-60cm tall that spreads over time by rhizomes to as much as 36in / 1m wide. Autumn bloom (short day triggered) features numerous small, button-like, yellow, rayless flowers borne in densely-packed corymbs late in the season (or not at all in short season, cold winter climates). Requiring well drained soils, it is somewhat drought tolerant when established. Part of the Japanese coastal flora and therefore prefering cooler temperatures (provide some afternoon shade in hotter regions).

Because of the beauty of this plant, and because it prefers (even requires) good drainage, is it sometimes found in mediterranean climate gardens. It is quite hardy in cold climates, going completely dormant in cold-winter regions, but in warmer climes it is more-or-less evergreen (though at its best in spring and summer). To maintain the handsome foliage for which this plant is noted, periodically trim close those stems that are finished flowering or too old, encouraging fresh replacements.

Prohibited in some areas because it is a host to white rust. To keep the foliage looking nice, protect from mollusks (slugs and snails).

Ajania 'Pink Ice', a hybrid of A. pacifica and Dendranthema ×grandiflorum  with short, pale pink ray flowers.

Hybrids have recently become available and are even starting to replace this species in cultivation. This development is driven by the desire to combine the striking leaves of this species with the more typical flowers ( with rays) of hybrid chrysanthemums (Dendranthema ×grandiflorum). Because these hybrids are generally listed as A. pacifica cultivars, or sometimes even without the cultivar names, it is becoming harder to obtain the true species from unqualified plant lists.

For more information about this breeding program, which includes challenges regarding the differing chromosone numbers for A. pacifica (2n=90) and Dendranthema ×grandiflorum (2n=54), see the following article (in Japanese):

イソギク(Ajania pacifica)の利用によるキクの新しい生殖質の作製

(Creating Novel Germplasms of Chrysanthemum by Employing the Ajania pacifica).

There are forms of this hybrid in white (matches the white tomentum), yellow (why would you bother?), and pink (usually very pale to 'dirty'). Growers like them because of the their compact size, quick growth, and multitude of flowers, making a cute 'impulse purchase' pot plant. Clearly novelty is attractive to many but this author does not feel these hybrids are an improvement over the grace and character of the original species.