Common Name: African daisy
Type: Herbaceous perennial
Family: Asteraceae
Native Range: Garden origin
Zone: 9 to 11
Height: 1.00 to 1.50 feet
Spread: 0.50 to 1.00 feet
Bloom Time: Seasonal bloomer
Bloom Description: Red, yellow, pink, purple or white rays with yellow or black eyes
Sun: Full sun
Water: Medium
Maintenance: Medium
Suggested Use: Annual
Flower: Showy
Leaf: Colorful
Culture
Grow in sandy, well-drained soils in full sun. Tolerates some soil dryness, but prefers consistent moisture. Deadhead spent flowers to encourage additional bloom. Winter hardy to USDA Zones 9-11. Grow as annuals in St. Louis, either in the ground or in containers. Prefers cool summer climates, and flowering may slow down considerably in hot and humid St. Louis summers. Collecting seed from garden plants is not usually done because most hybrids do not come true from seed. If growing from seed sold by seed companies, start plants indoors in late winter (6-8 weeks before last frost date) and set plants outside after last frost date.
Noteworthy Characteristics
African daisies typically sold under the × hybrida designation are crosses between A. fastuosa and A. venusta. They are tender perennials that resemble the more popular gazania. Hybrids typically feature basal foliage clumps of finely-cut, woolly, silvery green leaves from which flowering stems typically rise 12-18” tall topped by solitary, daisy-like flowers (to 3” wide) with contrasting (usually yellow or black) center disks. Ray flowers come in a great variety of colors including shades of red, yellow, pink, purple and white, often with contrasting color at the bases forming a ring around the center disk. Blooms summer to fall, often to first frost. Flowers close at night and may only partially open up on cloudy days.
Genus name comes from the Greek words arktos meaning a bear and ous or otos meaning an ear.
Problems
No serious insect or disease problems. Overly moist soils can lead to root and stem rot.
Uses
Mass in beds and borders. Large containers.