Sanvitana® Yellow (Sanvitalia speciosa): plant profile

Scientific classification

Class

Dicotyledons

Division

Angiospermae

Family

Asteraceae or Compositae

Order

Asterales

Genus

Sanvitalia

Species

speciosa

Key information

Description

An annual herbaceous plant suitable for giving, also in compositions with other ornamentals, a warm and vivid colour accent in planters, tubs, hanging baskets as well as in small flowerbeds where it creates dense cover. It has excellent flowering with a profusion of daisy-like flowers in brilliant colours in the late spring-summer to early autumn period. Of medium hardiness, it guarantees highly ornamental results in well-drained soil free of waterlogging.

Species video

https://youtu.be/Fpgl7xIYvdI

Variety description

The Sanvitana yellow is a semi-iricadent plant with yellow daisy-like flowers. It flowers from mid-spring to early autumn. The flowers are small but numerous and bring a bright yellow note to mixed basket and planter arrangements. In areas with a mild summer climate it is also used in tubs. In the mountains and northern Europe it is often used as a ground cover in cemetery beds. It is an easy spring plant to grow in greenhouses, provided that adequate temperatures are ensured at the start of cultivation, not below 14°c.

Origin and history

Curiosities and special features

The generic epithet was bestowed by Lamarck in honour of the Sanvitali brothers, naturalists and botany enthusiasts of the late 18th century, while the term speciosa refers to the showy and elegant blooms.

Origin and distribution

Belonging to the genus Sanvitalia, native to Mexico, the southwestern United States, Central America and South America, the species is present today with different varieties with excellent flowering and always bright and vivid colours.

Main features

Flower size

The flower individually is medium to small, giving refinement and elegance to the prolonged flowering.

Leaf

Leaf has an oval lamina.

Flowering period

Flowering lasts for a long time, from mid-spring to early autumn, lasting from 130 to 150 days, also allowing for different combinations with other ornamental species over the months.

Inflorescence

Inflorescence flower head.

Leaf colour

The Leaf blade is solid-coloured.

Plant height

The height of the plant varies between 0.2 and 0.4 m; it is therefore also ideal as a ground cover plant in a flower bed.

Lifespan

Annual Plant.

Where to plant

Due to its luxuriant and prolonged flowering as well as its developed bearing, it is widely used to decorate balconies, planters, large pots, terraces

Stem

Herbaceous stem, the variety has no thorns.

Flower

The flower is daisy-shaped, medium-small, with a gamopetalous corolla and plain petals. It is arranged in small to medium-sized flower head inflorescences. It flowers from mid-spring to early autumn, with a flowering period of between 130 and 150 days. It is attractive to bees and butterflies.

Growth

A variety with globular growth, ideal for pots and hanging baskets or for creating dense covers in small flower beds.

Plant habit

It develops a semi-erect Plant habit.

Branching

Abundant branching gives a well-tended appearance with dense flowers and Leaf.

Growing conditions

PH

It prefers a slightly acidic Soil/medium pH between 5.5 and 6.2.

Soil preparation

Before transplanting into the flower bed, carry out light digging and remove any weeds and bulky stones; if the soil is compact and poorly draining, it is advisable to bury sand. Finally, distribute a 5/10 cm layer of professional substrate on the surface and carefully level out the planting holes to a suitable density.

Sun exposure

Requires half-shade, bright shade, full sun exposure but above 300 m above sea level.

Ideal climate and temperature

The biological temperature is between 6 and 33 °C. The ideal temperature is between 16 and 22 °C; it prefers a temperate climate to ensure proper vegetative development and better flowering.

Use

Due to its prolonged flowering with bright, shiny colours, it is appreciated by gardeners and gardening enthusiasts at all levels of experience as a plant in

Outdoor ornamental

Hardiness

A moderately hardy plant, it needs regular watering without water stagnation.

Soil

The ideal soil for sanvitalia is medium-textured or tending to sandy, well loosened and above all well draining; for use in pots or planters, a substrate for spring plants containing fibrous peat and perlite is recommended.

Difficulty

Cultivation is fairly easy, the level of effort required for crop management and maintenance is low overall.

Growing tips

For best growth and flowering results, it is recommended to

Expose the plant to maximum light Keep the substrate dry at low temperatures

Combinations with other plants

Ideal for tubs, baskets or balconies in compositions with other non-vigorous ornamental flowering plants such as Ageratum houstonianum, Heliotropium, Pentas lanceolata, Verbena x hybrida, Vinca major, in combinations of blue, white, orange or red depending on the species or variety; Also suitable in small beds together with upright plants such as Antirrhinum majus, Zinnia elegans, Zinnia marylandica, Gaura lindheimeri, Tagetes patula x erecta, Salvia farinacea.

Care and plant health

Planting

For use in small flowerbeds, in order to ensure proper root and aerial development of each individual specimen and obtain a proportionate and aesthetically pleasing final composition, we recommend an average planting density of 18 plants per square metre. We suggest placing each seedling on a raised bed with the collar outside the soil surface, taking care not to damage the roots and avoiding completely sinking the root balls, which must be well moistened; finally, water immediately after planting, preferably during the morning hours.

Propagation

Medium.

Watering

Itis a plant that requires regular watering as dry spells can lead to yellowing of the leaves and wilting, however, it fears excessive watering which causes stagnation resulting in root rot. At transplanting, water constantly without excess and without causing water stress. Afterwards, watering must be balanced and modulated, maintaining a constant soil or substrate moisture. It is also advisable not to water the aerial part of the plant from above during the late afternoon or evening to prevent the spread of plant diseases.

Fertilising

During the spring-summer period, following proper post-transplant settling, apply a liquid fertiliser suitable for ornamental Species to the soil or medium at the foot of the plant, i.e. diluted in the irrigation water, without exceeding the frequency and doses applied.

Edibility and toxicity

Pet safety

Toxicity to pets not known, avoid administration.

Edibility for humans

Non-edible.

Toxicity for humans

Non-toxic, however avoid ingestion.

Expert advice

Tip

It is a plant that needs to be watered regularly. In fact, it withers easily in hot weather, but without major damage, while water stagnation can be fatal if prolonged. Improve the soil of the flower bed by incorporating a draining, mainly peaty substrate.