Description
The African daisy is an annual of the aster family (Asteraceae). It comes from South Africa. Its stems are 20–30 cm tall, ribbed, hairy, branched and slightly sprawling. The leaves are oblong, lobed, fleshy and hairy.
It flowers from the end of June until autumn. The large flower heads grow on thin but stiff, hairy stalks. The ray florets are glossy orange with a dark navy blotch at the base, forming a ring around the darker disc of tubular florets. The flower heads close in the evening and on cloudy days. Numerous varieties and hybrids are grown.
Requirements
Dimorphotheca needs humus-rich, not too heavy, free-draining soil and a sunny position.
Propagation
It is propagated by seed sown in April or May in the final position or in cold frames. Plant at a spacing of 30 x 30 cm.
Care
The plants grow and flower poorly in summers that are too wet and cold. It is planted in garden borders and is also suitable as a cut flower. Thin out seedlings that come up too densely, leaving plants every 10–15 cm.