Cape Daisy Pink Bicolor

Class

Dicotyledons

Division

Angiospermae

Family

Asteraceae

Order

Asterales

Genus

Osteospermum

Species

x hybrida

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

A perennial plant with abundant flowering in the spring-summer period, it has daisy-like flowers in a variety of colours. A suitable plant for flowerbeds and tubs, it remains evergreen in temperate zones. It slows down or stops flowering with temperatures above 35 degrees.

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.

Flower size

The flower is medium-sized, lending elegance to the abundant, lush bloom.

Leaf

The leaf blade is bipinnate.

Flowering period

The vivid, penetrating colours of the flowers can be admired from mid-winter to summer for a duration of 90 to 200 days.

Leaf colour

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

Plant height

The height of the plant varies from 0.15 to 0.4 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 herbaceous, the variety has no thorns.

Flower

The flower is daisy-shaped and medium-sized. The petals are bi-coloured, with an eye and a solid colour. It flowers from mid-winter to summer, with a flowering period of between 90 and 200 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.

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.

Read more on the Joyflo blog

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 10 and 25 °C. The biological temperature is between 3 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 extremely 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:

In low light, plants do not flower Expose the plant to maximum 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.

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 18 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.

Read more on the Joyflo blog

Fertilising

After 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.

Read more on the Joyflo blog

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.

Tip

Extremely attractive plant for areas with low water availability, also withstands water stress well, not particularly suitable for shaded areas. Slows down flowering with high temperatures. Likes good fertilisation for a very lush plant.