African Daisy
Bursting with vibrant daisy-like blooms in a kaleidoscope of colors, Arctotis (African Daisy) adds a splash of joy and beauty to your garden while thriving in drought conditions.
Arctotis is a genus of flowering plants native to dry stony slopes in southern Africa, particularly South Africa. Most African daisies grown in our gardens are hybrids resulting from a cross between Arctotis fastuosa and Arctotis venusta.
Description: Arctotis, commonly known as African daisy, are annual or perennial plants. They are prized for their vibrant daisy-like flowers that often have contrasting dark-colored centers. The flowers close in the evening or during dull weather and reopen in brighter light.
Growth Habit & Size: Arctotis typically grows in a mound or spreading form with a low to medium height. Depending on the species and variety, plants can range from about 1-2 feet (30-60 cm) in height with a spread of 1 foot (30 cm) wide.
Flowers: The flowers of Arctotis are its most remarkable feature. They are large, up to 3 inches (8 cm), daisy-like, and come in a variety of bright colors, including orange, yellow, pink, purple, and white. They often have a contrasting dark or black center which can be quite striking.
Foliage: The leaves of Arctotis plants are usually finely cut, velvety, and silvery-green.
Blooming Season: Arctotis flowers generally bloom from late spring through fall. Arctotis will stop blooming in summer until the temperature cools off.
Hardiness: The hardiness of Arctotis varies depending on the species. Some are quite frost-tolerant, while others prefer warmer climates. Generally, they are hardy in USDA zones 9-11.
Uses: Arctotis is widely used in gardens for borders, rock gardens, containers, or ground covers. It is salt tolerant, so great in coastal areas. Their vibrant, long-lasting flowers add a splash of color to any landscape. They’re also used for cut flowers.
Pollinators: The bright flowers of Arctotis attract a variety of pollinators, including bees and butterflies.
Toxicity: There’s no widespread evidence to suggest that Arctotis is toxic to humans or animals. However, as with all plants, it’s always a good idea to prevent ingestion by children or pets.
Deer and Rabbit: Arctotis is generally resistant to deer and rabbits, likely due to its slightly hairy leaves.
Drought: Arctotis plants are drought-tolerant, making them a great choice for xeriscaping or areas with low rainfall.
Invasiveness: Arctotis is not typically invasive, but it can self-seed under ideal conditions. Arctotis stoechadifolia exhibits rapid spread through seed dispersal and stem node rooting, leading to its invasive nature in regions such as California and Australia. Caution should be exercised to prevent its uncontrolled proliferation and potential ecological impacts.
Hardiness |
9 - 11 |
---|---|
Heat Zones |
10 - 11 |
Climate Zones | 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24 |
Plant Type | Perennials |
Genus | Arctotis |
Exposure | Full Sun |
Season of Interest | Spring (Late), Summer (Early, Mid, Late), Fall |
Height | 1' - 2' (30cm - 60cm) |
Spread | 1' (30cm) |
Maintenance | Low |
Water Needs | Average |
Soil Type | Chalk, Loam, Sand |
Soil pH | Acid, Neutral |
Soil Drainage | Well-Drained |
Characteristics | Showy |
Tolerance | Drought, Deer, Rabbit, Dry Soil |
Attracts | Birds, Butterflies, Bees |
Landscaping Ideas | Beds And Borders, Patio And Containers |
Garden Styles | City and Courtyard, Coastal Garden, Gravel and Rock Garden, Informal and Cottage, Mediterranean Garden |
By Peter Turner Photography, Zbigniew Guzowski, Shutterstock
Hardiness |
9 - 11 |
---|---|
Heat Zones |
10 - 11 |
Climate Zones | 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24 |
Plant Type | Perennials |
Genus | Arctotis |
Exposure | Full Sun |
Season of Interest | Spring (Late), Summer (Early, Mid, Late), Fall |
Height | 1' - 2' (30cm - 60cm) |
Spread | 1' (30cm) |
Maintenance | Low |
Water Needs | Average |
Soil Type | Chalk, Loam, Sand |
Soil pH | Acid, Neutral |
Soil Drainage | Well-Drained |
Characteristics | Showy |
Tolerance | Drought, Deer, Rabbit, Dry Soil |
Attracts | Birds, Butterflies, Bees |
Landscaping Ideas | Beds And Borders, Patio And Containers |
Garden Styles | City and Courtyard, Coastal Garden, Gravel and Rock Garden, Informal and Cottage, Mediterranean Garden |
Create a membership account to save your garden designs and to view them on any device.
Becoming a contributing member of Gardenia is easy and can be done in just a few minutes. If you provide us with your name, email address and the payment of a modest $25 annual membership fee, you will become a full member, enabling you to design and save up to 25 of your garden design ideas.
Join now and start creating your dream garden!
Create a membership account to save your garden designs and to view them on any device.
Becoming a contributing member of Gardenia is easy and can be done in just a few minutes. If you provide us with your name, email address and the payment of a modest $25 annual membership fee, you will become a full member, enabling you to design and save up to 25 of your garden design ideas.
Join now and start creating your dream garden!