Arctotheca calendula (Cape Dandelion)
Cape Weed, Cape Daisy, Cape Dandelion, Cape Marigold, Australian Cape Weed, Plain Treasure Flower, Cryptostemma calendulaceum
Tough and easy to grow, Arctotheca calendula (Cape Dandelion) is a tufted to sprawling evergreen perennial, spreading by runners to make a thick groundcover. Blooming most of the year, pale yellow daisy-like flowers, 2 in. across (5 cm), with a darker ring and a black or yellow center, are borne singly on roughly hairy stalks. They are visited by bees and butterflies. The basal leaves form a rosette of elongated, silvery green leaves with toothed to deeply lobed margins. The foliage remains decorative all year, knitting together in a tight weave to control soil erosion. Useful as a showy ground cover or edging plant, this South African native is great for hillsides and large areas.
- Grows only 6-12 in. tall (15-30 cm). Will self-seed freely in the garden.
- Thrives in any well-drained soils in full sun and requires a moderate amount of water.
- Arctotheca calendula is easily controlled in home gardens (easy to remove) but it has escaped and become invasive in parts of California.
- Easily propagated from seed sown in autumn.
- Native to South Africa.
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Requirements
Hardiness | 9
– 11 |
---|---|
Heat Zones | 10
– 11 |
Climate Zones | 8, 9, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24 |
Plant Type | Perennials |
Exposure | Full Sun |
Season of Interest |
Summer (Early,Mid,Late) Fall |
Height | 6" – 1' (15cm – 30cm) |
Spacing | 18" (45cm) |
Water Needs | Low |
Maintenance | Low |
Soil Type | Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand |
Soil pH | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral |
Soil Drainage | Well-Drained |
Characteristics | Showy, Evergreen |
Tolerance | Drought |
Attracts | Bees, Butterflies |
Garden Uses | Ground Covers |
Garden Styles | Prairie and Meadow |
By Poogie, Abriendomundo, Shutterstock
While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.
Requirements
Hardiness | 9
– 11 |
---|---|
Heat Zones | 10
– 11 |
Climate Zones | 8, 9, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24 |
Plant Type | Perennials |
Exposure | Full Sun |
Season of Interest |
Summer (Early,Mid,Late) Fall |
Height | 6" – 1' (15cm – 30cm) |
Spacing | 18" (45cm) |
Water Needs | Low |
Maintenance | Low |
Soil Type | Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand |
Soil pH | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral |
Soil Drainage | Well-Drained |
Characteristics | Showy, Evergreen |
Tolerance | Drought |
Attracts | Bees, Butterflies |
Garden Uses | Ground Covers |
Garden Styles | Prairie and Meadow |