Cape Daisy® Magic Sunrise (Osteospermum hybrids)

Scientific classification

Class

Dicotyledons

Division

Angiospermae

Family

Asteraceae

Order

Asterales

Genus

Osteospermum

Species

x hybrida

Key information

Description

A herbaceous perennial with compact growth, an upright habit and easy cultivation management; it has an abundant flowering period from early spring to late summer. It is one of the newest alternatives among ornamental plants for use in flower beds, borders, outdoor tubs and planters, also in compositions with other species. Osteospermum x hybrida, as its name implies, is a hybrid obtained by selection and crossing of different species belonging to the genus Osteospermum native to South Africa and Arabia; it is commercially present in different varieties that differ in vigour, habit and the variability and colour texture of the flowers.

Variety description

Perennial plant with spring-summer flowering suitable for flowerbeds and tubs, large assortment of colours, stops flowering with high temperatures.

Origin and history

Curiosities and special features

The generic term, Osteospermum, is of Greek origin and derives from the words bone and seed, relating to the seeds that appear to be made of bone.

Origin and distribution

A botanical genus native to the dry, stony soils of southern Africa and the Arabian Peninsula, it arrived in England in the 18th century and immediately became popular in gardens throughout Europe. Osteospermum x hybrida is a hybrid obtained by crossing different species belonging to the same genus Osteospermum including O. ecklonis and O. jucundum, and today represents, with the wide assortment of varieties available, an excellent alternative among ornamental plants for use in flower beds and planters.

Main features

Flower size

The flower is small, lending elegance to the abundant and luxuriant flowering.

Leaf

The leaf blade is lanceolate.

Flowering period

The vivid, penetrating colours of the flowers can be admired from early spring to late summer for a duration of 60 to 120 days.

Leaf colour

Solid colour shades, in perfect colour balance with the flowers.

Plant height

The height of the plant varies from 0.2 to 0.5 m, making it ideal both for creating homogeneous monochrome groups and for adding movement in compositions with other ornamentals of different development.

Lifespan

A perennial plant, in areas with harsh winters it is recommended to shelter it in a greenhouse or protect it with non-woven fabric and mulch.

Where to plant

Very versatile, it is used to add an accent of colour in flower beds, outdoor tubs, borders, planters

Stem

The stem is semi-woody, herbaceous, the variety has no thorns.

Flower

The flower is daisy-shaped, small, with shaded petals. It flowers from early spring to late summer, with a flowering period of between 60 and 120 days. It is not particularly attractive to pollinating insects.

Growth

Compact-growing variety, appreciated for creating dense colourful groups.

Plant habit

The plant has an upright plant habit, suitable for compositions with other Species of different final height.

Branching

It offersabundant branching giving an interesting decorative result with a high density of flowers.

Growing conditions

PH

It prefers Soil/medium with an acidic or sub-acidic pH between 5.0 and 6.8.

Soil preparation

Before transplanting into the flower bed, carry out a shallow digging, removing any weeds, bulky stones and residues of previous crops. If the soil is compact and poorly draining, it is advisable to bury sand evenly. In addition, add professional-quality substrate to the surface by approx. 5/10 cm and carefully level out the planting holes to a suitable density.

Sun exposure

It likes full sun exposures; for optimum flowering it is recommended to favour this type of orientation, leaving the parts of the garden with less sunlight to other, less light-demanding species.

Ideal climate and temperature

The ideal temperature is between 8 and 20 °C. The biological temperature is between 4 and 35 °C. It prefers temperate climatic conditions for good vegetative development and abundant flowering.

Use

Particularly appreciated for its spring-summer blooms with a wide range of colours as a plant for use in:

Outdoor ornamental

Hardiness

Highly hardyvariety, tolerates water stress well.

Soil

For planting in flowerbeds, the ideal soil is peaty and well-draining; for planters and outdoor tubs, a light, peat-containing substrate for spring plants is recommended.

Difficulty

Cultivation is easy, the level of management effort is low overall, adding value to the plant.

Growing tips

Here are some specific cultivation tips and aspects for better growth and flourishing:

Flowers open only in full light

Combinations with other plants

Itis possible to create harmonious compositions with other ornamental species by means of colour combinations in relaxing pastel shades where each colour takes on equal weight without dominating the others, or by grouping bright, saturated colours in cohesive patterns; combinations with Argyranthemum frutescens, Calibrachoa, Canna indica, Coreopsis, Echinacea, Gaillardia, Gazania, Lavandula angustifolia, Perovskia atriplicifolia, Petunia are recommended.

Care and plant health

Planting

As with any ornamental bedding species, planting should be carried out at a suitable density to ensure the expression of the best vigour in growth, thus achieving proportionate and visually harmonious final effects; an average planting density of 20 plants per square metre is therefore recommended.

Propagation

By apical cutting.

Watering

Not particularly demanding in terms of water supply, it is nevertheless important that the soil, even at transplanting, is kept slightly moist; it is advisable to carry out frequent and not excessively abundant irrigation, either manually or with an irrigation system, in order to obtain abundant flowering and to avoid water stagnation with subsequent root rot.

Fertilising

Following proper post-transplant settlement, regularly apply a balanced fertiliser suitable for ornamental species to the soil or substrate at the foot of the plant, without exceeding the frequency or doses applied.

Edibility and toxicity

Pet safety

Ingestion toxicity to pets not known; consider case-specific and do not administer.

Edibility for humans

Non-edible.

Toxicity for humans

Toxicity not known, avoid ingestion.

Expert advice

Tip

Expose to maximum light for abundant flowering, tolerates water stress very well. It stops flowering in the very hot summer period and resumes flowering at the end of September if well fertilised.