Daisy African ‘Mixed Colors’

Osteospermum ‘Mixed Colors’

Characteristics

Culture

The ‘Mixed Colors’ African Daisy has colorful blooms of orange, yellow and apricot-tones contrasting with dark centers which make these flowers a bright feature for sunny beds. Low, spreading, drought resistant plants bloom profusely over a long season.  Winter hardy to USDA Zones 10-11. In other areas, plants are grown as annuals in average, loose, moderately fertile, evenly moist, well-drained soils in full sun. The African Daisy generally dislikes hot and humid summers. Purchase new ‘Mixed Colors’ African Daisy plants in spring or plant seed cultivars indoors about 6-8 weeks prior to last spring frost date. Deadhead spent flowers to prolong bloom.

Noteworthy Characteristics

Many of the plants sold today under the name of African daisy or osteospermum are cultivars and hybrids derived from O. ecklonis, O. jucundum and several other species. As a group, these plants are frost-tender subshrubs or herbaceous perennials that feature daisy-like flowers on upright stems rising to 1-3’ tall. Stems are clad with lanceolate green leaves having entire, lobed or toothed margins. Each flower features a center disk of tiny tubular flowers surrounded by fertile, petal-like ray flowers in a variety of colors including shades of white, pink and yellow. In cool summer climates, ‘Mixed Colors’ African Daisy flowers bloom freely from spring to fall frost. In hot summer climates, flowers bloom well in spring to early summer, but decline rapidly with the onset of consistently hot summer temperatures. Fruits are seed-like achenes. Genus name comes from the Greek words osteo (bone) and sperma (seed) in reference to the hard seeds of the plant.

Problems

No serious insect or disease problems. Watch for aphids. Mildew and verticillium wilt may occur.

Garden Uses

Flower beds, borders or containers.

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Courtesy of Missouri Botanical Society Plant Finder