AnnualsDiscover the right annual plants for your garden.
Bright Lights ™ Horizon ™ Sunset ( Osteospermumhybrid ) Photo by : Proven Winners
At first glance , African daisies ( Osteospermum ) look like distinctive daisy , with symmetrical petals that shine from a central eye . But upon a closer look , this South African native is anything but average . The flowers come in in many colors from livid to deep purpleness , with exclusive or multi - colored centers and petals that can be double , fringed , or spoon - shape .
A member of the daisy family ( Asteraceae),osteospermumis a half - dauntless repeated or suffrutex most commonly produce as an annual . A relative newcomer to the horticultural diligence , African daisies first become uncommitted to home gardeners in the 1990s .
Although commonly cry African daisy , it ’s crucial to remember the botanic name ofOsteospermum , as other garden plants such asDimorphothecaandArcotisgo by the same common name . Other name calling admit South African daisy , Cape daisy , Cape marigold , blue - eyed daisy , or sunscape daisy .
On this page : The Basics|Planting|Care|Pictures|Landscaping Tips
THE BASICS
Zones:
9 - 11 ; grown as an annual in most regions
Height/Spread:
Upright bushy or trail habit , 1 to 3 ft grandiloquent and 1 to 2 feet broad
Exposure:
Full sun to light shade ; efflorescence is good in full Dominicus .
Bloom time:
Late spring to Robert Lee Frost . They are sensitive to extreme heating plant and blossom sparsely in blistering atmospheric condition .
Color and characteristics:
Daisy - like flower 2 inches across , occur in single , bi- or multicolors in shades of white , yellowish , orangish , red , coral , pinkish , sorry , lavender , and purpleness . Oval or lance - shaped leaves are dark-green or grey - green with smooth or toothed margins . Flowers close at nighttime or on non-white clouded Day , though there are newer cultivars that remain open .
PLANTING INSTRUCTIONS
downfall display with Lemon Symphony African daisy ( Osteospermumhybrid ) Photo by : Proven Winners
When to plant:
Plant outside in mid - former saltation after all danger of rime is preceding .
Where to plant:
get in a sunny to light shade off land site in a container or landscape . industrial plant will bloom considerably in full sunshine .
How to plant:
For beds and border , relax soil in the planting sphere 6 to 12 inch deep . employment in compost or other organic matter . Remove plant from container and gently bug out roots or slice the beginning ball in several places if potbound . Dig a maw slightly larger than the root globe . Place the plant in the hole so the top of the root musket ball is grade with the ring soil surface . Fill in the hole , tamp down soil around the base and piss well .
For containers : Plant as above , using a rich , well - drain potting mix . Spacing can be slightly close when combined with other plant life .
CARE
Maintenance:
Deadhead spent flowers to encourage reblooming , although this is not want for Symphony orBright Lightsseries plant . plant can be cut back by up to one-half during raging summertime atmospheric condition for a replete rebloom in belated summer and crepuscule . Where they are perennial , plant can be lightly shear after the last flush of blooms .
Soil:
For beds and moulding , repair soil with compost or other constitutional matter and make certain there is good drain . Optimal soil pH is 5 - 5.5 .
Amendments & fertilizer:
Apply an all - role water - soluble fertilizer every 2 to 3 weeks during the growing season , according to parcel instructions . Since containers are watered more often , nutrients will leach out faster , requiring more frequent fertilizing .
Watering:
Keep ground evenly moist but not soggy . plant can become somewhat drought - broad once established . Overwatering can lead to fungous disease or putrefaction .
Diseases and pests:
When planted in optimum conditions and by rights maintain , there are few , if any , problem . Pests includethrips , whitefly , fungus gnat , oraphids . Diseases let in verticillium wilt , powdery mildew , botrytis , phytophthora , greyish mold , root or theme rot , all of which can be stimulate by supernumerary lacrimation , gamy humidity , or poor air circulation .
Deer resistance:
Deer will bequeath them alone for the most part , though extreme weather can result in deer grazing on plants that they would n’t otherwise .
OSTEOSPERMUM VARIETIES
Varieties are still being build up for raw colors , patterns and shapes , as well as attribute such as longer - survive blooms and flowers that continue open at dark . In the right conditions , osteospermum — which can be grown in containers or in the landscape — will honor you with months of colouration .
exposure by : Proven winner
Bright Lights ™ Purple — Buy now from Proven WinnersOsteospermumhybrid
9 - 11
Compact bushy riding habit , 8 to 12 in tall and wide of the mark
Color:
mystifying rose - purple bloom , unripened foliage
The shorter height and dense growth habit makes this a safe choice as edging , mass in a landscape painting , or in container in combination with other plants . More heat - tolerant than other varieties .
Bright Lights ™ Yellow — Buy now from Proven WinnersOsteospermumhybrid
sensationalistic flowers , unripened leaf
The dull compact habit makes this a well choice for border edging , massed landscape plantings and containers in combination with other flora . More heat energy - resistant than other varieties .
Bright Lights ™ Double Moonglow — Buy now from Proven WinnersOsteospermumhybrid
Creamy yellow petals with buttery yellow center , green foliage
Great for function in landscape and containers and does not require deadheading . Heat tolerant flora with gorgeous , semi - dual bloom .
Bright Lights ™ Horizon ™ Sunset — Buy now from Proven WinnersOsteospermumhybrid
mound habit , 8 to 12 inches marvellous and 10 to 18 inches wide
Salmon pink and lilac-colored gloomy flowers , greenish foliage
The mound habit of Horizon ™ Sunset holds the prime up for a beautiful display . Works well in window box , give ear basketful , terrace container , and in the landscape .
pic by : Linda Hagen
' Blue - Eyed Beauty’Osteospermum ecklonis
10 - 11
Mounding spreading habit , 12 to 14 inches improbable and 14 to 20 column inch wide
blossom petals are yellow with a purplish rim around the essence , the eye is blue and sensationalistic ; green foliage .
peculiarly stunning , with buttery yellow flower petal and a multi - colored center . Use in mass plantings or containers . More warmth tolerant than some other varieties .
Photo by : Mirko Rosenau / Shutterstock
Astra ™ Purple SpoonOsteospermum ecklonis
Mounding spreading habit , 12 to 18 inches grandiloquent and 18 to 24 inch wide
Flowers are pinkish purple with a sorry center ; green foliation
Unique fluted spoonful - shaped petals offer a novelty focal spot in a container or landscape . flush originally than other varieties .
pic by : Claire Belisle / Millette Photomedia
' Zion Copper Amethyst’Osteospermum ecklonis
good mounding habit , 16 to 20 inches magniloquent and 16 to 24 inches wide-cut
Flowers are orange , pink and imperial , green foliage
barrack by the desert chromaticity of Zion National Park , this dazzle blended color combination glows like a Southwest sunset . Can be acquire in a container with other plants that resound the warm colors .
Photo by : Simon Marshall / Flickr
Serenity ™ RedOsteospermum ecklonis
vertical mounding habit , 10 - 14 inches tall and 14 - 20 inches wide
Dark red flowers , green foliage
The low mounding habit clear this a good choice as a stand - alone accent in a container , as tract edging , or in combination with other yearly . utilize to help hold up the grease in place on a slope .
DESIGN TIPS
‘ unspoiled Morning’plant formula in a hanging basket , with Bright Lights ™ Yellow African daisy , Supertunia ® Honey ™ petunia , and Sunsatia ® Blood Orange ™ nemesia . Photo by Proven Winners .
There are many ways to contain African daisies into your landscape . Here ’s how :
