When you ’re tattle about African daisy , also called cape marigolds , you have an tremendous selection to prefer from , all in theOsteospermumgenus . African daisies are winter hardy only in USDA hardiness zones 10 and 11 . Most gardeners grow these as annual .
So Many African Daisies: Which to Choose?
The genusOsteospermumcomprises more than six XII species , but not all are herbaceous yearbook or even perennials ; some are shrubs . If you ’re perusing a nursery for African daisy plant , you ’ll most likely incur hybrids or cultivars ofOsteospermum ecklonisorOsteospermum jucundum .
Some popular cultivar have spoon - shaped flower petal , such asO. ecklonisSerenity ™ ' Lavender Bliss ' and another Serenity cultivar , O. ecklonisSerenity ™ ' White Bliss . '
Given their common name , it ’s no surprisal that African daisy do indeed have daisy - like flowers and portion out other characteristics of daisies , including their central disk and magniloquent , vertical stem . Some varieties have grim center , while some have jaundiced centers .
Tip
African daisies produce the most bloom during spring and other summertime , although , in expanse with nerveless climate , they may continue to bloom till freeze .
While these plant need warmheartedness , they dislike live weather . In mood with extreme heat , African daisy blooms are likely to cease by other summertime , but in area with moderate summertime , these blooms persist from spring through mid - summer and even recent summer and into twilight before the first frost .
Planting African Daisies
African daisies postulate a location in full sun . Ensure well - enfeeble filth and at least moderate fertility , as they are forgiving and will grow in even short dirt , but they need some nutrients . If the grunge is too sandy or clayish , amend it with organic topic or well - age compost .
Whatever the cultivar , if you ’re produce from germ , inseminate seed in a well - drainingpotting mixabout six to eight hebdomad before your field ’s last spring frost . The idealistic temperature for germination is from 60 to 65 ° F . seed should go forth in about two weeks .
If you buy African daisy seedlings from a greenhouse , plant them in a garden bed with good drain in late bounce or after your domain ’s last frost date . These plants are not cold - tolerant .
implant them from 1 substructure to 2 feet apart , depending on the cultivar , so check the plant ’s recording label . After transplantation , irrigate them well .
Osteospermum prefers a pH of 6.0 to 6.2 but will grow in more alkaline soils .
