Mauve Delight

Class

Dicotyledons

Division

Angiospermae

Family

Asteraceae

Order

Asterales

Genus

Brachyscome

Species

multifida

Description

An ornamental herbaceous plant with a semi-recumbent habit, ideal for adding an accent of colour and elegance to planters, pots and hanging baskets, creating dense cushions studded with a multitude of daisy-shaped flowers present until mid- or late autumn; some varieties are also suitable for borders in compositions with other species of different height and vegetative habitus. Easy to cultivate and maintain, it is cold-hardy and tolerates summer heat.

Species video

https://youtu.be/dOyFJsTT3pE

Variety description

A plant with very generous growth and flowering, it is not afraid of the cold so much so that its flowering continues until late autumn and resumes early in spring. In cultivation it requires a lot of light at all times, and after rooting it benefits from low temperatures and plenty of ventilation to acquire quality and roundness so that it looks like a flowering cushion. Be careful not to exceed a pH of 6.5 in the potting soil as it easily manifests chlorosis, which is remedied by potting iron chelates and fertilising with ammonia nitrogen.

Origin and distribution

A species native to Australia, from the state of Queensland to Victoria.

Flower size

The flower individually is medium-sized, clustered in an elegant, light inflorescence.

Leaf

The leaves have an elongated, lanceolate, lobed lamina.

Flowering period

The long flowering period lasts from the end of winter to mid-autumn and lasts between 180 and 250 days, giving your green spaces an accent of colour for a long time.

Inflorescence

Inflorescence head, typical of many plant species belonging to the botanical family Asteraceae.

Leaf colour

Solid-coloured, perfectly matching the colour shade of the inflorescences.

Plant height

The height of the plant varies from 0.15 to 0.3 m, making it perfect also in compositions with other ornamental species of different development.

Lifespan

Plant grown mainly as an annual.

Where to plant

Very versatile, it is suitable for different contexts and outdoor green spaces such as balconies, outdoor tubs, hanging baskets, large pots, planters

Stem

The stem is herbaceous, the variety has no thorns.

Flower

The flower is daisy-shaped, medium-sized, with a symmetrical corolla and plain petals. It is arranged in head-like inflorescences of medium size. It flowers from late winter to mid-autumn, with a flowering period of between 180 and 250 days. It is attractive to bees and butterflies.

Growth

A medium to vigorous growing variety, perfect for creating homogeneous monochrome pads.

Plant habit

Its semi-recumbent habit gives it added value, making it the optimal choice for decorating balconies or terraces in trays and hanging baskets.

Branching

Theabundant branching allows for a high density of foliage and flowers.

PH

Requires a soil or substrate pH between 5.5 and 6.2.

Keep the pH below 6.5 to avoid ferric chlorosis.

Soil preparation

Before transplanting in early spring, carry out a 20/30 cm deep digging, removing any weeds, residues of previous crops and bulky pebbles, continue by using a hoe, breaking up the coarsest clods to obtain greater softness, then carefully level the surface.

Read more on the Joyflo blog

Sun exposure

It is suitable for exposures in half shade, full sun; correct brightness is of prime importance for a lush flowering.

Ideal climate and temperature

The ideal temperature is between 10 and 18 °C. The vital temperature is between -4 and 38 °C It withstands the cold and tolerates summer heat well.

Use

With its luxuriant flowering, it is considered the optimal choice among herbaceous plants in:

Outdoor ornamental

Hardiness

Ahighly hardy variety, it is not afraid of cold and withstands heat well.

Soil

It prefers a loosened soil. For pots and planters, use a substrate for spring plants containing peat and perlite.

Difficulty

Cultivation is easy with a low level of management effort, two aspects that make this variety popular with gardeners and green enthusiasts at all levels of experience.

Growing tips

Here are some useful and specific cultivation tips:

In low light, plants do not flower Expose the plant to maximum light Avoid over-watering

Combinations with other plants

Suitable for chromatically and formally proportioned compositions with other ornamental herbaceous species such as Begonia x hybrida, Bidens ferulifolium, Sutera diffusa.

Planting

For use in flowerbeds or borders we recommend an average planting density of 0.0 plants per square metre in order to ensure proper vegetative development of each specimen, thus obtaining a formally harmonious and balanced final composition. We suggest positioning each seedling with the collar outside the soil surface, taking care not to damage the roots and avoiding completely sinking the root ball, which must be well moist; finally, water immediately after planting but without causing water stagnation.

Propagation

Propagation is by seed or cutting.

Watering

Use rainwater, or alternatively water from the aqueduct, either manually or by means of an irrigation system. In the early stages following transplanting, to allow proper rooting in the new site, more frequent watering will be necessary while avoiding excessive water supply and stagnation; then allow the soil or substrate to dry out slightly to prevent dryness. Beware of over-watering, which is feared in both cold and hot weather.

Fertilising

During the vegetative growth period, apply a balanced fertiliser for ornamental plants to the soil or substrate, i.e. a liquid fertiliser to be diluted in the irrigation water according to the directions on the information label regarding dosage and frequency.

Brachyscome multifida fears over-fertilisation, especially in connection with water stress.

Pet safety

Ingestion toxicity for pets not known. Avoid administration.

Edibility for humans

Non-edible.

Toxicity for humans

Ingestion toxicity not known, avoid ingestion.

Tip

Once a month a treatment/fertilisation with EDDHA iron done to the pot is recommended. It is not afraid of cold and has good heat tolerance. Beware of over-watering, which is feared in both cold and heat.