Also call African daisy , this tender perennial is often acquire as an annual for its beautiful spring and declension blooming .
BHG / Evgeniya Vlasova
Osteospermum is a relatively recent add-on to the gardening world and has only been usable in the trade wind since the early 1990s . With their cheerful , daisy - similar flower , osteospermums were an instant hit . They make a rattling display when set on their own or with other cool - time of year works , such aspansies .
Credit:BHG / Evgeniya Vlasova
When osteospermums were first introduced , they were available in only a few colour , primarily whiteand peach . Despite a special color selection , their lustrous risque - purpleness centers made them a popular garden option . After plant breeders got to work , new hue of flowers started seem , including pinkish , purple , and bicolor .
Where to Plant Osteospermum
Osteospermums are most often farm as cool - season annuals . Some varieties arehardy in Zones 9 - 11but wo n’t survive cold temperature . In many case , the plants take a break from flower during the hot summer until cool nights resume in crepuscule . They can be moved to a protected sphere in cold regions and overwinter there .
Plant tracking or compact varieties of osteospermum in attend basket or add them to container gardens . The trailing types make well groundcover , too . LavenderandRussian sage , with their silvery - blue flower , are completing familiar plants that require the same dirt and piss as osteospermum , and they look beautiful contrasted with ornamental grass , such asblue Festuca elatior .
How and When to Plant Osteospermum
Plant osteospermum in the garden in mid- to late spring , after your region ’s average terminal frost date . Dig a hole slightly larger than the root Lucille Ball , place the plant in the hole , and cover it with organic matter and ground . piddle well when first planting osteospermum . Keep the plants 12 inches apart to allow for growth .
Osteospermum Care Tips
Light
Osteospermumsthrive in full sun ; the more brightness you could give them , the better they will flower .
Soil and Water
Osteospermum prefers evenly moist , well - run out soils . Too - stiff filth is a sure way to stress out or defeat osteospermums . Once they are established , they are somewhat tolerant of drought .
Temperature and Humidity
Although osteospermums are tender perennials , they are usually grow as annuals in USDA Zone 8 and ice chest . They can brook temperatures in the high-pitched 30s , but wo n’t exist a freeze . When grown indoors , they prefer normal house temperatures and medium humidity levels of about 60 percentage . Add a plant humidifierif your nursing home environs is dry than this .
Fertilizer
impart a balanced fertilizer with anN - atomic number 15 - K ratioclose to 10 - 10 - 10 to the stain in spring before planting osteospermum and a liquid fertilizer every two weeks during the summer . Fertilize your plants regularlyand remove any spent blooms to ensure osteospermums reckon their in force .
Pruning
Prune the entire osteospermum plant softly in other natural spring or late fall to encourage shaggy-haired growth . Deadhead spent bloom on a regular basis to encourage extra prime .
Potting and Repotting Osteospermum
Choose a containerslightly larger than the osteospermum needs ( and with a drain hole ) and fulfill it with well - enfeeble potting soil . Put it in an surface area where it receives sunlight and keep the soil evenly moist . you’re able to move the container alfresco to a balcony or patio , but move it inside in autumn before the first hoarfrost for overwintering . The plant lives only two to three class , sorepottingmay not be necessary .
Pest and Problems
One common pest you might see on osteospermums isthrips . These flyspeck insects feed on the flowers ’ pollen and employ their penetrative mouthparts to scrape the petals for water , which damages buds and contorts raw growth . fortuitously , otherbeneficial insectsare out during the grow season and can keep these pest in check .
How to Propagate Osteospermum
Because most osteospermums are hybrids , they do n’t usually grow truthful from seeds , but you cantake newspaper clipping of existing plantsfor exact duplicates to expand your provision of this cool - weather pet . Select non - flowering shoot and bring down them at about 3 to 5 inches . Remove any leaf from the bottom half of the cuttings anddip them in a root endocrine . Plant them in a well - draining culture medium to root .
If you do n’t mind surprises , sprinkle fresh seeds on top of the planting medium indoors in late decline . The seeds necessitate igniter to germinate , so keep them well - lit but cool . They ca n’t tolerate heat . Move the seedling to item-by-item flowerpot when they are about 3 column inch tall , and hold off untilafter the last frost in springto move them out of doors .
Types of Osteospermum
Because this mathematical group of industrial plant is still comparatively Modern to the horticultural industry , exciting diverseness are popping up every year . inquiry is being done to createlonger - lasting bloomsthat stay open all solar day and night . Also , the core disk bloom have been modified to be longer and denser , create a 3D effect . New colors of osteospermum are constantly being created . Here are some pet .
‘Flower Power Spider White’ Osteospermum
Osteospermum‘Flower Power Spider White ’ shows off an teemingness of daisy - shape bloom with unequaled spoonful - shaped petals . It raise 14 inches tall . Zones 9 - 11
‘Mara’ Osteospermum
Osteospermum‘Mara ’ farm big blooms of apricot - tan petals that blend to a beautiful soft pink at the center . This stocky excerpt grows 10 inches tall . geographical zone 9 - 11
‘Serenity Lavender Frost’ Osteospermum
Osteospermum‘Serenity Lavender Frost ’ bears white-hot flowers with a lavender - purple center on 14 - inch - improbable plants . Zones 9 - 11
‘Peach Symphony’ Osteospermum
Osteospermum‘Peach Symphony ’ bear indulgent , great - red coral flower in outflow and fall on drought - tolerant plant that grow 14 inches marvelous . zona 9 - 11
‘Serenity Purple’ Osteospermum
Osteospermum‘Serenity Purple ’ bears rich - purple flowers on mound plants that grow 14 in tall . Zones 9 - 11
‘Sideshow Copper Apricot’ Osteospermum
Osteospermum‘Sideshow Copper Apricot ’ suffer soft apricot - orangeness flowers with a purple flush on a mounding , 1 - substructure - tall plant life . zone 9 - 11
‘Soprano Compact Purple’ Osteospermum
Osteospermum‘Soprano Compact Purple ’ bearspurple flowerson drought - tolerant , compact plants that arise only 10 in tall . geographical zone 9 - 11
‘Soprano Vanilla Spoon’ Osteospermum
Osteospermum‘Soprano Vanilla Spoon ’ bears livid flowers with spoonful - shaped petals on drought - tolerant , 2 - understructure - tall plants . Zones 9 - 11
‘Sunny Dark Florence’ Osteospermum
Osteospermum‘Sunny Dark Florence ’ bearsorange flowerson a 12 - column inch - marvelous plant . zone 9 - 11
‘Yellow Symphony’ Osteospermum
Osteospermum‘Yellow Symphony ’ bears golden - yellow flowers with over-embellished center on drouth - tolerant , 14 - inch - tall plants . Zones 9 - 11
‘Zion Plum’ Osteospermum
Osteospermum‘Zion Plum ’ is a strong - mature selection with dismal - imperial flowers in spring and fall . It develop 12 inches marvelous . Zones 9 - 11
‘Zion Sun Yellow’ Osteospermum
Osteospermum‘Zion Sun Yellow ’ is a vigorous selection with yellow-bellied prime in spring and fall . It grows 12 inches tall . Zones 9 - 11
Osteospermum Companion Plants
Dianthus
Thequintessential cottage flower , pink ( Dianthusspp . ) are treasured for their grasslike blue - unripe foliage and abundant starry flower , which are often spicily fragrant . Depending on the kind , flowers appear in outflow or summertime and tend to be pinkish , red , lily-white , rose , or lavender , but get along in well-nigh all shades except unfeigned blue . Plants range from tiny cringe ground cover to 30 - inch - improbable flowers that are a favourite with florists .
Heliotrope
Even without its mythologic smell , heliotrope would be widely grownin the garden . Some say it smells like cherry pie , some say a grape ice rink soda water , and others say vanilla . irrespective , it is undeniably one of the most intriguingly scented plants in the garden . As a fillip , this tropical plant , grown as an annual , bears liberal clusters of rich purpleness , blue , or blank flowers . Heliotrope prosper in a bit with full sun and moist , well - drained soil .
It ’s a great container plant life ; try out it in a window box seat or near a room access where you’re able to love it frequently . For the strongest scent , grouping several plants together where they can get good afternoon sun . The warm Dominicus will release their fragrance .
Snapdragon
Few gardens should be without theeasy magical spell of snapdragons . They get their name because you’re able to gently gouge the sides of the intricately shaped flower and see the jaws of a dragon head rupture close . The blooms come in gorgeous colors , including some with color variations on each flush . Plus , snapdragons are an owing cut flower . Gather a XII or more in a small vase , and you ’ll have one of the pretty bouquets around .
Snapdragons are specially utilitarian because they ’re a cool - time of year yearbook , coming into their own in former spring when the warm - season annuals , such as marigolds and impatiens , are being planted . They ’re also great for fall color . Plant snapdragon in early springiness , a few hebdomad before your region ’s last frost escort . Deadhead regularly for best flower and fertilize on a regular basis . Snapdragons often self - source in the landscape painting if not deadheaded , so they hail back year after yr , though the colors from hybrid plants usually terminate up muddy - looking for . In mild part , the entire works may overwinter if covered with mulch .
Garden Plan for Osteospermum
Soften a Fence With This Lush Border Garden Plan
Use our costless garden programme to transubstantiate your backyard fence from a wearisome , white outer space into a pleasing backcloth for a gorgeous bloom edge .
Frequently Asked Questions
If you cut them as presently as they open up , osteospermum salad days make excellent cut flower . The daisy - similar blooms are excellent fillers around larger blossoms , and add fat people of color to arrangements .
The flowering time of year lasts for eight weeks or longer in most areas , as long as youdeadhead spent blossom . In country with red-hot summers , the plants may pause blooming until the temperature cool off and then start out flower again .
These peak are non - toxic , so they make a wonderful summation to a garden where pets and child make for .
Credit: Justin Hancock
normally , cervid go out osteospermum alone , but a hungry deer is likely to nibble on just about anything it comes across .
have a bun in the oven to see plenty of bees , butterflies , and hummingbirds around when you plant osteospermum in the garden .
Credit: Justin Hancock
Credit:BHG / Evgeniya Vlasova
Credit: Peter Krumhardt
Credit:BHG / Evgeniya Vlasova
Credit: Justin Hancock
Credit: Ed Gohlich
Credit: Ed Gohlich
Credit: Helen Norman
Credit: Scott Little
Credit: Justin Hancock
Credit:BHG / Evgeniya Vlasova
Credit:BHG / Evgeniya Vlasova
Credit:BHG / Evgeniya Vlasova
Credit:BHG / Evgeniya Vlasova
Credit: Illustration by Mavis Augustine Torke
