Gazanias, also known as treasure flowers for their jewel-bright blooms, are fantastic for bringing color to patios and sunny borders. These plants are native to South Africa and belong to the Asteraceae family, which includes sunflowers and daisies. Gazanias are also commonly referred to as African daisies due to their appearance. They are also called treasure flowers because of their bright, colorful blooms that come in shades of orange, yellow, pink, red, and white.
They're grown either as annuals or as spreading, evergreen perennial plants. The daisy-type flowers need sunshine and if they don't get enough of it, they will close up. The blooms come in shades of rose, red, pink, bronze, gold and orange and are set off by the cool green foliage.
One of the reasons why gazanias are so popular is because of their ease of care. Gazanias come in different sizes depending on the variety you choose. Some dwarf varieties grow up to six inches tall while larger ones can reach up to two feet tall. The plants also have different flower shapes ranging from single petals with a dark center disk to double flowers with frilled edges.
One common question that arises when planting gazanias is whether they are annual or perennial. The answer is not straightforward as it depends on the specific variety of gazania being grown and the climate in which it is planted.
The blooming of plants is a highly anticipated and visually stunning event, as it marks the arrival of spring. The timing of plant bloom can vary depending on various factors such as location, climate, and plant species. Each region in the US has its unique bloom season, which is influenced by the weather and temperature changes. Some varieties can survive down to zone 4.
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The flowers of annual gazanias tend to be larger and more vibrant in color compared to those of perennial gazanias. Annual gazania flowers may bloom for a longer time than their perennial counterparts. They bloom from spring to fall. Deadheading spent flowers can help encourage new growth and extend the overall bloom time of these plants.
How To Grow Gazania Flower Plant From Seeds / Gazania Seeds Grow / Gazania by Seeds / Gazania Seeds
Gazanias are known to attract a variety of pollinators such as bees, butterflies, and even hummingbirds. These pollinators are attracted to the bright colors of the flowers, which serve as visual cues for them to find a source of nectar. The plant produces copious amounts of pollen that can be easily accessed by pollinators.
Where to Grow Gazanias
Native to South Africa, gazanias need a hot, sunny position in the garden. Soil should be moderately fertile and well-drained. Gazanias do well in coastal and gravel gardens and suit containers and hanging baskets.
When to Plant Gazanias
Annual gazanias can be sown from seed in late winter to early spring under cover. The best time to plant out gazanias is in early summer, when the danger of frost is over as gazanias are not frost hardy.
How to Plant Gazanias
The best way to start gazanias is to grow them from seeds. They can be planted in mid to late spring when the soil is warm enough. It takes around 12 weeks for the flowers to bloom.
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- Sow in pots or trays of seed compost.
- Sow on the surface of the compost and then lightly cover with either compost or vermiculite.
- Gazania benefit from heat to germinate, so either place in a heated propagator or in a clear plastic bag on a warm windowsill.
- When your gazania seedlings are big enough to handle, transplant into small pots and grow on indoors until the danger of frost is over.
- In late May or June, harden off plants for a week or so, moving plants outdoors during the day and bringing them undercover at night.
- When planting gazanias outdoors, choose a sunny spot either in the border or a container full of multipurpose compost.
- Plant so that the rootball is level with the surrounding soil or compost and firm in.
- Water well and regularly during any dry periods, especially if gazanias are growing in pots or hanging baskets.
Soil - The best soil for growing gazania plants is well-draining soil with a neutral pH (7) which needs to be protected from becoming waterlogged. Slightly acidic or alkaline soil will be tolerated.
Light - Gazania plants need full sun exposure for at least six hours a day. This means that they should be planted in an area where direct sunlight falls on them for a considerable time during the day. Gazanias grown in shady areas do not produce as many flowers or may not flower at all.
Water - These plants can withstand drought conditions and do not require frequent watering. The best type of watering for gazania plants is deep and infrequent. This means giving the plant a thorough soaking once or twice a week rather than shallow watering every day. This method allows the water to penetrate deep into the soil, encouraging the plant's roots to grow deeper and become more resilient to drought conditions.
How to Care for Gazanias
Deadhead gazanias regularly to ensure a continuous supply of flowers right through the summer.
Water well after planting and check containers regularly during dry periods. Plants will need watering during dry periods but let the compost dry out between waterings to avoid root rot.
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Feed container grown gazanias fortnightly with potash-rich fertiliser.
Pot-grown perennial gazanias can be overwintered indoors. Cut back plants by two thirds before bringing under cover.
How to Propagate Gazanias
Take basal cuttings of gazanias from late summer to autumn to create more plants. Basal cuttings are taken from the bottom of new shoots.
- Take a cutting that is 10-12cm long, cutting as close to the base of the shoot is possible.
- Cut off any leaves that are near the base and pinch out the top.
- Plant cuttings 2.5cm deep in a small pot of compost and cover with a plastic bag until the cutting has rooted.
- Overwinter the cuttings undercover and plant out in early summer once the danger of frost is over.
Pests and Diseases
Gazanias are generally pest and disease free when grown outdoors. Look out for aphids when brought indoors overwinter. They can also occasionally be susceptible to grey mould.
Gazania Varieties to Try
Both annual and perennial varieties of gazania are available. Annuals can be grown from seed or from garden ready plants in the spring.
- Gazania 'Big Kiss White Flame' - the large white and pink-striped petals are almost as big as your hand. Perfect for filling gaps in a sunny summer border, or for growing in a container.
- Gazania 'Tiger Stripes' - has bright yellow and orange-striped blooms. It's perfect for using in a tropical container display with other fiery coloured flowers, as well as in the border to fill gaps. There are also seed mixes available with striped flowers in yellow, pink, bronze and cream.
- Gazania 'Christopher Lloyd' is a perennial variety with vibrant pink-purple flowers between May and October.
- Gazania krebsiana ‘Scarlet Tanager’ (Scarlet Tanager African Daisy) is a cold hardy perennial Gazania grown for its large, incredibly scarlet flowers that appear in mid-spring and again in the fall after the heat of summer is over.
Look for different color variations and various color markings.
- Chansonette Series: very early flowering compact plants at 8 to 10 tall. Variety of flower colors.
- Daybreak Series: very large (4) flowers in shades of orange, yellow, pink, white and bicolors. Yellow centers have dark red/brown rings around them. Compact and showy.
- Mini-Star Series: dwarf (6 to 8 tall) plants with showy, vivid flowers in shades of yellow, pink, orange, white and red. Flowers prolifically.
- Talent Mix: compact plants with distinct silvery leaves and flowers in shades of white, yellow, pink, and orange.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are my gazanias dying?
The most likely cause of death for gazanias is overwatering because they thrive in dry, sunny conditions. Frost or cold weather will also kill these frost-tender plants.
Do gazanias come back every year?
Many gazanias are annuals and complete their life cycle within one year. Perennial gazanias are often treated as annuals because they are not frost hardy.
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.
| Variety | Flower Color | Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Big Kiss White Flame | White and pink-striped | Annual | Large petals |
| Tiger Stripes | Yellow and orange-striped | Annual | Tropical container displays |
| Christopher Lloyd | Pink-purple | Perennial | Vibrant color |
| Scarlet Tanager | Scarlet | Perennial | Cold hardy |
