How do African daisies spread?
They are commonly spread by dumping. African daisy invades a wide range of habitats, particularly beaches, dunes and dry forest. It is very widespread around all coastal communities and is rapidly invading adjacent bushland where it can form a dense understorey excluding native species.
Do African daisies multiply?
Propagating African Daisies The majority of African daisy varieties are hybrids and won't grow true from seeds saved from the plants. But you can easily propagate your plants by cuttings. This is also the best way to overwinter the plant outside of its hardiness zones.
Do African Daisy come back every year?
African Daisy is a perennial plant that can bloom for months and will do so year after year. Therefore, it is highly recommended for areas with high humidity and low light or dappled shade. Osteospermum is a genus of a flowering plant in the family Asteraceae, native to southern Africa.
How big do African daisies get?
The two- to four-inch flower — which opens in the morning and closes at night — is typically daisy-like, with a single or double layer of radial petals. This prolific bloomer grows to between eight and 18 inches tall, with a 12-inch spread.
Are African daisies self seeding?
African daisies germinate very easily and may even self-seed in the garden. Sow the seeds where they are to grow for best results. However, they recover fairly easily from transplant shock, so if you prefer to sow seeds in containers, feel free to do so.
How long do African daisy plants last?
The plants will bloom for eight weeks or more if old flowers are removed.
Should I prune my African daisies?
African daisies are very tough and hardy plants. They are generally pruned after flowering which occurs from late Spring through Summer. This year has been quite unseasonal and much cooler than usual so flowering may be delayed. Prune in Autumn and early winter and then regrowth should occur in Spring.
Should I deadhead African daisies?
To encourage continued blooming, deadhead your African Daisy regularly. If this is not done, it can cause the plant to go to seed and blooming will stop. By midsummer, this plant can become leggy. A light trim can shape the plant and encourage fresh new growth.
Should African daisies be cut back?
When to Cut Back African Daisies. If you live in USDA plant hardiness zone 9 or above, perennial African daisies benefit from annual pruning. Cut the plant to the ground in late fall or early spring. Either time is acceptable, but if you are set on a tidy garden going into winter, you may want to prune in autumn.
Where is the best place to plant African daisies?
full sunPlace African daisies in direct sunlight. African daisies grow best in full sun, and while they can grow in light shade, they will produce fewer flowers. During the summer, the daisies will stop blooming to survive the stress of the heat and will resume blooming in the fall.
How fast do African daisies grow?
African Daisy is an easy-to-grow annual flower with about 50 varieties. It is native to South Africa. The plant grows quickly. Growing African Daisies will reward you with the first blooms in just 50 to 60 days.
Are African daisies invasive?
A native to South Africa, the African Daisy (Osteospermum species) is an invasive species in Australia, but is a very common garden plant. It is a tough, drought-tolerant plant and invades a wide range of habitats, particularly beaches, dunes, and dry forest areas.
Can you divide African daisies?
All daisy varieties benefit from division every three to five years, which rejuvenates the plant, stimulating new growth and healthy blooming.
Are African daisies invasive?
A native to South Africa, the African Daisy (Osteospermum species) is an invasive species in Australia, but is a very common garden plant. It is a tough, drought-tolerant plant and invades a wide range of habitats, particularly beaches, dunes, and dry forest areas.
Do daisies spread easily?
The plant is a perennial and will come back year after year. It will spread, too. Unlike some other wild plants, however, daisies won't take over your garden. If you find them growing in a spot where you don't want them, they're easy to yank out or move to a better spot.
Do daisies spread fast?
Propagation and Mature Daisies This common staple of meadows, lawns, roadsides and gardens spreads so easily, in fact, that many consider the daisy an invasive weed. No matter what you call them, daisies like full sun to partial shade in more moderate areas, but in hot temperatures, they need full shade from the sun.
How many different types of African daisies are there?
There are more than 70 species of African daisies of varying shapes and colors. African daisies can have yellow, red, blue, purple, white, or multicolored petals and blue or yellow centers. The petal shapes can be broad and smooth, and others spiky and slim. Popular varieties include:
What is the name of the African daisy?
African daisy is the common name of Osteospermum, a genus of daisy-like flowers within the Asteraceae family. These South African native daisies are also called the South African daisy, Cape daisy, blue-eyed daisy, and daisybush. Most African daisies in the Osteospermum genus are perennials.
What is a blue eyed daisy?
Popular varieties include: ‘Blue Eyed Beauty’: This multi-colored daisy is a variety of Osteospermum ecklonis species with a blue and yellow center. The petals are purple at the center and transition to yellow at the edges.
When do African daisies bloom?
How to Grow and Care for African Daisies. African daisies will bloom in temperate climates during the late spring and early summer and again in late summer and early fall. African daisies are perennials, though in places with heavy frost, they’re grown as annual flowers.
Do African daisies need sun?
African daisies grow best in full sun, and while they can grow in light shade, they will produce fewer flowers. During the summer, the daisies will stop blooming to survive the stress of the heat and will resume blooming in the fall. Let the soil dry between waterings.
Is African daisy a perennial?
Most African daisies in the Osteospermum genus are perennials. African daisies used to be classified within the Dimorphotheca genus, but only the annual species of the flower (such as the Cape marigold) remain in that genus.
Growing African Daisies
Though the growing conditions of African daisies can differ slightly based on the different varieties, there are a few general things you should know.
Propagation Methods
Most species of African daisies are grown from cuttings, but there are some varieties that can be grown from seeds as well. If you don’t want to bother with the whole propagating process, buying some young African daisy plants from a nursery is also an option.
African Daisy Care and Maintenance
African daisies are strong flowering plants that don’t need a lot of effort or time to maintain. However, with proper care and attention, you can get them to produce flowers in mass amounts and super quickly.
How Often Should I water African Daisies?
African daisies are drought-tolerant plants, but they do need frequent watering in the summer as well as in the blooming season. However, the amount of water has to be reduced to a certain extent in the winter and rainy seasons.
Should I Prune and Deadhead My Plants?
Prune your African daisies from time to time to stimulate the growth rate and shape up the shrubs for landscaping purposes. Whenever you feel like the plants are overgrown and out of shape, trim the stem tips from just above the first node. Use a clean, sharp tool for this, and be careful not to prune any tips with flower buds.
What are Some Common Pests and Diseases?
African daisies are resilient plants that don’t easily attract a lot of pests and diseases. However, common garden pests like aphids, slugs, earwigs, and whiteflies can pose a threat to them. You can simply control these pests with the help of a good pesticide or insecticide.
Wrapping Up
If you’re looking for a hassle-free flowering shrub that can add dynamic and vivid colors to your garden, then African daisies are a great way to go. The best part about growing these plants is that you don’t need to be a gardening expert to do a great job.
What is the name of the African daisy?
Osteospermum is from Africa, hence the name African daisies. Growing African daisies require conditions similar to those found in Africa. It likes heat and full sun. It needs well-drained soil and, in fact, will tolerate dry soils. Osteospermum is an annual and, like most annuals, it enjoys extra fertilizer.
How long does it take for osteospermum to grow?
You should see growing osteospermum seedlings in about 2 weeks. Once the seedlings are 2”-3” (5 to 7.5 cm.) high, you can transplant them into individual pots to grow until the last frost has passed. After the first frost, you can plant the seedlings in your garden.
When do African daisies bloom?
But the nice thing about African daisies is that they are one of the few annuals that will still bloom for you if they are planted in poor soil. When growing osteospermum, you can expect them to start blooming about mid-summer. If you have grown them from seed yourself, they may not start blooming until late summer.
What is the name of the flower that is used in flower arrangements?
Osteospermum has become a very popular plant for flower arrangements in the past few years. Many people may wonder what is osteospermum? This flower is better known as the African daisy.
Can you grow African daisies from seed?
Growing African Daisies from Seed. If available, you can buy osteospermum from a local nursery as a seedling but, if they are not available near you, you can grow them from seed. Because these are African plants, many people wonder, “What is the planting time for African daisy seeds?”.
What is osteospermum a part of?
A member of the daisy family (Asteraceae), osteospermum is a half-hardy perennial or subshrub most commonly grown as an annual.
What color are daisies?
Color and characteristics: Daisy-like flowers 2 inches across, come in single, bi- or multicolors in shades of white, yellow, orange, red, coral, pink, blue, lavender, and purple. Oval or lance-shaped leaves are green or gray-green with smooth or toothed margins.
How to incorporate African daisies into landscape?
Here’s how: Mass at the front of a mixed border for lasting color when perennials are out of bloom. Combine in hanging baskets with trailing plants such as lobelia, calibrachoa, or verbena.
What do African daisies look like?
At first glance, African daisies ( Osteospermum) look like typical daisies, with symmetrical petals that radiate from a central eye. But upon a closer look, this South African native is anything but ordinary. The flowers come in many colors from white to deep purple, with single or multi-colored centers and petals that can be double, fringed, ...
How tall is a sandstone?
Mounding spreading habit, 12 to 18 inches tall and 18 to 24 inches wide
What color are the petals of a sailor's eye?
Flower petals are yellow with a purple rim around the center, the eye is blue and yellow; green foliage.
What is the pH of soil?
For beds and borders, amend soil with compost or other organic matter and make sure there is good drainage. Optimal soil pH is 5-5.5.
What Are African Daisies?
African daisies are scientifically known as Osteospermum and are a part of the Asteraceae family. The Asteraceae family consists primarily of other daisy varieties and is one of the largest flowering plant families.
What is the color of the Osteospermum 4D silver?
Osteospermum 4D Silver. The Osteospermum 4D silver has bright white petals that have an almost silver tint to them. The centers on these flowers are a lavender purple which contrasts nicely against the white petals. The flower heads on this variety are also said to be bushier than other varieties of the African daisy.
Why are African daisies susceptible to gray mold?
African daisies are particularly susceptible to gray mold because it will form in damp and humid conditions, much like the environment within which African daisies will grow. Gray mold is a fungus that will start to harm the plant over time and can eventually cause the plant to die if no intervention is taken.
Why is it important to drain the soil of African daisies?
Well-drained soil is important to the African daisy as they are prone to root rot which is caused by too much water on the roots. Soil that drains water well will ensure you do not have puddles of water forming around your roots—this can be deadly to the plant.
How to get rid of aphids in garden?
The simplest solution to an aphid problem is to mix dish soap and water together in a spray bottle and spray infected areas once daily for two to three weeks. If this does not take care of the situation, introducing lacewing insects into your garden may be the next step.
What to consider when choosing African daisy?
When it comes to choosing a variety of African daisy to plant in your garden or landscaping, the most important factor to consider are the colors you want. Some varieties also have specific characteristics that may work better for your situation than others.
What zone do yellow flowers grow in?
This variety is particularly heat-resistant and can grow in USDA hardiness zone eleven, while most other varieties do best in nine through ten. These yellow flowers thrive in the heat and will do well in the hottest of summers.
History
First introduced into Europe in the late 1800s, African Daisies have since been bred and cultivated to such a degree that there are just under 950 recognized varieties and cultivars as listed by The Royal Horticultural Society.
How to Plant and Grow African Daisies
Plant African Daisies in spring after the risk of frost has passed. Bear in mind that African Daisy plants are perennials that are winter hardy to USDA zones 9-11, in zones below this, they can still grow but will behave as annuals.
How to Propagate African Daisies
African Daisy plants can be easily propagated through cuttings or from seed. However, since most varieties are hybrids, seeds may not grow true to the parent plant.
Care and Maintenance
African Daisies prefer slightly acidic, moist, well-draining soil. Well-draining soil is key for these plants, if needed, amend clay-soil types by adding compost or pine bark to improve drainage and aeration. If the soil type is sandy, improve water retention by amending with 2-3 inches of pine bark humus or peat moss.
Uses of African Daisies
With their colorful flowers and long blooming season, Osteospermum flowers make particularly lovely cut flowers for the home. They are also a top choice for urban gardens since they grow extremely well in containers. Use them to liven up an apartment balcony or bring a pop of color to patio gardens.
Common Varieties and Cultivars
With so many African Daisy varieties and cultivars, choosing the right fit for your garden may seem daunting. But below is a list of popular and beautiful choices, all with similar care and maintenance needs:
