The African daisy, also known as Osteospermum or Gazania, is a sturdy plant that thrives in the Arizona climate, adding a bright shock of color to desert landscapes. These daisy-like flowers come in various colors such as white, yellow, blue, orange, and pink. They are easy to care for, making them a popular choice for rock gardens and roadsides. Let's explore how to grow and care for African daisies in Arizona.
Varieties of Daisies
Besides the African Daisy, other daisies thrive in the Phoenix area. Here are some popular choices:
- Marguerite Daisy: This shrub-like perennial favors cooler temperatures and blooms in spring and fall.
- Cape Marigold: Also known as Dimorphotheca, this annual daisy comes in vibrant shades and is easy to grow.
Marguerite Daisy Care
The Marguerite Daisy is a shrub-like Phoenix perennial with petite, pretty, pastel blooms. They tend to favor the cooler temperatures, so here in the urban Phoenix area they are most healthy and full during our spring and fall months (March/April and October/November). These daisies are often fantastically used in pots in sunny entrance ways and widely used in parks and botanical gardens as well as displayed indoors as bonsai plants.
They grow 2 to 3 feet tall and spread about 3 feet in an almost perfect rounded shrub without any pruning or shaping by humankind. The Margs prefer full sun (although they will do just fine in partial sunlight) with proficiently draining soil and regular watering, but don’t over water the daisies, as this will affect the plant. They are susceptible to root rot, mold, and mildew if overwatered. Care of marguerite daisies is pretty care free. The plants are not usually plagued by most commonly known Phoenix area pests. Although at times people claim the usual suspects may visit them. If so, there are pesticides like neem oil to take care of that.
Known as a perennial in our area, it will look pretty rough and rugged throughout the hot summers and most people tend to pull them; but if you hang in there, they will come back and bloom for two or three seasons. To increase the bushiness of the Marg, pinch and pop off any dying flowers before it gets real hot, as this will promote blooming later, but come summertime, I would leave alone if you can stand it. Don’t cut back or the cut portions could “burn”.
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When planting, dig a hole as deep as the pot and almost twice as wide. I add a dash of bone meal and 2 cups or so of fresh potting soil, then fill the hole with your diggings of garden soil, and add water. I add my vitamin B and homeopathic Aconite for plant shock on or about the 2nd day after planting and then some miracle grow at approximately 1 week after planting. We keep our Margs on a sprinkler system to be watered for a few minutes each day in the early morning.
Interesting fact: In the 16th century, a Norwegian Princess was very fond of the fresh and refined little flowers so she named it after herself. Marguerite! The symbolism of this perennial is pride, satisfaction and joy.
African Daisy (Osteospermum)
Quite a sturdy plant, which is why you’ll often see them growing along our roadsides and out in fields. Bloomers in our summers of full sun, they are also known to live in partial shade, too. Also called Osteospermum or Gazania, the African Daisy looks a lot like a daisy and comes in bloom colors of white, yellow, blue, orange and sometimes pink. They are a nice bright shock of color for people who only want rock gardens while living in our desert climate and so easy to care for. They get about 4 - 6 inches in diameter and as high as 12 inches tall. They bloom from April to August.
The African Daisy belongs to the Calendula family, (think marigolds) and is also part of the sunflower family; again, a group of strong plants. It’s known as a perennial in our area, for its’ hardiness and like many desert plants, will get long and leggy in midsummer. A light trim keeps the plant neat and tidy while encouraging new blooms. They can tolerate partial shade, but this will likely cause them to produce fewer flowers so best to give them full sun. You always know spring has arrived when the African daisies start to pop. They tell us that cold mornings are probably over and we can turn off the furnace.
I water my daisies a lot, like every day for a few minutes. They like moist soil and I give them fertilizer and vitamins once every 6 weeks. The daisies close at night, so not the ideal plant for your evening sitting area or happy hour spot.
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They will continue their bloom if the mature bushes are divided every two or three years and the non-productive center of the shrub is discarded. This not only improves their overall appearance but will also stimulate new growth, more blooms. Mature taller flowers can be cut and placed in vases and floral arrangements, lasting a week to 10 days. (For me this is an added bonus of this plant)
Our African Daisies are a big hit with bees and butterflies and particularly attractive to hummingbirds. So plant in the spring as they will tolerate cooler, early spring weather, then they’ll take a break during the hottest part of summer before giving off new blooms in the fall. Like me, African Daisies love the Phoenix Area.
Growing Conditions
- Sunlight: African daisies prefer full sun.
- Soil: Plant African daisies in well-draining soil.
- Watering: Water African daisies regularly, ensuring that the soil remains consistently moist but not waterlogged.
- Fertilizing: Apply a balanced, slow-release fertilizer or organic compost.
- Deadheading: Remove spent flowers regularly to encourage continuous blooming.
- Pruning: Lightly prune African daisies in early spring or late summer to maintain their shape and promote bushier growth.
- Mulching: Apply a 2-3 inch layer of organic mulch around the base of the plant.
Landscaping Tips
- Borders and Edging: African Daisies work well as edging plants or in mixed borders.
- Containers and Hanging Baskets: African Daisies are excellent container plants.
- Mass Plantings: Plant African Daisies in large groups or drifts.
- Coastal Gardens: Osteospermum is tolerant of salt spray and sandy soils.
- Wildlife Gardens: African Daisies attract pollinators.
Companion Plants
- Salvia
- Echinacea
- Coreopsis
- Petunia
- Verbena
- Marigold
- Calibrachoa
Propagation
- Seeds: Sow seeds on the surface, spacing them evenly.
- Cuttings: Select a 3-5 inch long stem with at least two sets of leaves.
- Division: Divide mature bushes every two or three years.
Pests and Diseases: African Daisy, is generally a low-maintenance and resilient plant. However, it can sometimes be affected by certain pests and diseases.
- Aphids
- Whiteflies
- Spider mites
- Powdery mildew
- Root rot
- Leaf spots
Cape Marigold (Dimorphotheca)
Cape marigold made its way to Arizona in the 1940s. Cape marigold may be grown from seed. Fill each pot three-quarters full with potting medium. You might want to use a gritty cactus and succulent mix. Continue to maintain even moisture until the seedlings are four inches tall. After the last spring frost date, acclimate the seedlings to the outdoors. Set the pots in a sheltered, sunny spot for a few hours each day for a week. The ideal soil is average to poor, sandy, and well-draining. Avoid rich soil and fertilizer. Space plants eight to 12 inches apart to accommodate mature dimensions. Work the soil to a depth of about eight inches until it is crumbly.
Water weekly in the absence of rain. Set the peat pot rims so the soil surface in the pots is even with the soil surface in the new containers. Containers dry out faster than garden soil. Once established, these plants exhibit above-average drought tolerance. Annuals live for one season. In zones that experience frost, they die with the first freeze. Deadheading is the removal of a spent flower stem before the flower loses all of its color. D. Purple centers draw the eye into the blossoms of white D. Cape marigold generally has no significant pest or disease issues. Onion thrips, Thrips tabaci, are common in California.
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Here is a table summarizing the key aspects of African Daisy care in Arizona:
African Daisies | Propagation
General Daisy Care
Daisy flowers are vibrant, cheerful, and easy to grow, making them a proven choice for gardens. This star-shaped flowering plant can be either annual or a perennial and comes in a variety of colors from bright white to the most electrifying shades of pinks, purples, and yellows. Daisies prefer rich fast-draining soil, plenty of water, and ample sunshine. Healthy soil means healthy roots for your daisies, so it’s best to put the time in to amend the soil in your garden before planting. Use a mix of organic matter, including sand, peat moss, and manure compost, to create an ideal growing environment for strong plants with showy blooms. Daisies, just like their cheerful appearance would suggest, are sun-loving plants. Plant them in full sun for the best and most rewarding blooms all season long.
Perennial daisies are easy to grow from seed, root division, or plants purchased from your local nursery. Plant your daisy seeds early Spring. Seeds can be sown directly into the garden or started in covered seed containers indoors. Plant your seeds in the soil about 1/8 inch deep. You can expect them to germinate in 10-20 days.
Dig a hole that is twice the diameter of the pot in came in. Then place the plant in the hole, using care to ensure that the top of the root ball is flush with the surface of the soil. Water daisy plants during dry spells as they send up flower buds as well as during their entire blooming time. If flower stems dry out and droop, they might not fully recover. Water daisies amply at the base of the plant to avoid mold and sun damage to tender petals.
Daisies are generally low maintenance perennials. At times they can be adversely impacted by aphids, slugs, and earwigs. As a gardener, you can combat these destructive pests by planting companion plants in the garden bed. The best way to deter pests in your garden is to start with healthy plants and to maintain them with good overall care. Trim off blooms as they fade. Deadheading these blooming beauties encourages repeated flowering.
Keep root systems from getting too big and overcrowding each other, which will lead to a decline in the daisy plant over time. As daisy plants get very large, dig them up in clumps every other year in the Fall. Divide the root balls with a slice from a sturdy garden shovel and cut away the thick woody center. Prepare perennial daisies for winter by cushioning mulch loosely around each daisy plant.
There are far more varieties than the traditional daisy to choose from, and they all add their unique flair to a garden bed. Marguerite Daisy is a thrill for gardeners as it blooms in blazing yellow, magentas and pinks. Plant daisy’s in your garden today!
Additional Tips
- Annual Flowers: Annual flowers are a simple way to attract pollinators, fill bare spots in the landscape, and add a bright spot of color to containers in the yard and garden.
- Arizona Seasons: Arizona’s seasons are short, and timing is critical when planting.
Table: Daisy Care in Arizona
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Sunlight | Full sun (at least 6-8 hours daily) |
| Soil | Well-draining, sandy, or rocky soil |
| Watering | Regular, but avoid overwatering |
| Fertilizing | Balanced, slow-release fertilizer in spring |
| Pruning | Lightly prune in early spring or late summer |
| Pests & Diseases | Watch for aphids, whiteflies, powdery mildew |
