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.