HOW TO GROW AFRICAN DAISY PLANTS

Zones:

9-11; grown as an annual in most regions

Height/Spread:

Upright bushy or trailing habit, 1 to 3 feet tall and 1 to 2 feet wide

Exposure:

Full sun to light shade; bloom is best in full sun.

Bloom time:

Late spring to frost. They are sensitive to extreme heat and flower sparsely in hot weather.

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. Flowers close at night or on dark overcast days, though there are newer cultivars that remain open.

When to plant:

Plant outside in mid-late spring after all danger of frost is past.

Where to plant:

Grow in a sunny to lightly shaded site in a container or landscape. Plants will flower best in full sun.

How to plant:

For beds and borders, loosen soil in the planting area 6 to 12 inches deep. Work in compost or other organic matter. Remove plant from container and gently tease out roots or slice the root ball in several places if potbound. Dig a hole slightly larger than the root ball. Place the plant in the hole so the top of the root ball is level with the surrounding soil surface. Fill in the hole, tamp down soil around the base and water well.

Space 12 inches apart and allow for adequate air circulation.

For containers: Plant as above, using a rich, well-draining potting mix. Spacing can be slightly closer when combined with other plants.

Maintenance:

Deadhead spent flowers to encourage reblooming, although this is not required for Symphony or Bright Lights series plants. Plants can be cut back by up to half during hot summer weather for a fuller rebloom in late summer and fall. Where they are perennial, plants can be lightly sheared after the last flush of blooms.

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.

Amendments & fertilizer:

Apply an all-purpose water-soluble fertilizer every 2 to 3 weeks during the growing season, according to package instructions. Since containers are watered more often, nutrients will leach out faster, requiring more frequent fertilizing.

Watering:

Keep soil evenly moist but not soggy. Plants can become somewhat drought-tolerant once established. Overwatering can lead to fungal disease or rot.

Diseases and pests:

When planted in optimal conditions and properly maintained, there are few, if any, problems. Pests include thrips, whitefly, fungus gnats, or aphids. Diseases include verticillium wilt, powdery mildew, botrytis, phytophthora, gray mold, root or stem rot, all of which can be caused by excess watering, high humidity, or poor air circulation.

Deer resistance:

Deer will leave them alone for the most part, though extreme conditions can result in deer grazing on plants that they wouldn’t otherwise.

There are many ways to incorporate African daisies into your 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.
• Alternate groupings of complementary colors such as purple and yellow along a slope for an eye-catching display that also helps hold soil in place.
• Place a large decorative container at the end of a pathway. Plant African daisy and other brightly colored annuals for a focal point to draw the eye through the landscape.
• Shepherd’s hooks are a great way to showcase hanging baskets for instant color by a patio, deck or poolside. Hooks are easily moved around for a fresh look.
• The long branching stems and extended vase life makes this a good cut flower.