Sanvitalia New Compact Yellow

Class

Dicotyledons

Division

Angiospermae

Family

Asteraceae or Compositae

Order

Asterales

Genus

Sanvitalia

Species

speciosa

Description

An annual herbaceous plant suitable for adding a warm, vivid splash of colour – even when combined with other ornamental plants – to window boxes, planters, hanging baskets and small flowerbeds, where it forms dense ground cover. It produces excellent blooms, with a profusion of daisy-shaped flowers in consistently bright colours from late spring through to early autumn. Moderately hardy, it guarantees highly ornamental results in well-drained soil, free from waterlogging.

Species video

https://youtu.be/Fpgl7xIYvdI

Variety description

Sanvitalia ‘New Compact’ is a globular plant with yellow daisy-like flowers. It flowers from mid-spring until early autumn. The flowers are small but numerous and add a bright yellow touch to mixed plantings in window boxes or planters. In the mountains and in northern Europe, it is often used as ground cover in cemetery flowerbeds.

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 Sanvitalia genus, native to Mexico, the south-western United States, Central America and South America; the species is now available in various varieties, all of which produce excellent blooms in consistently bright and vivid colours.

Flower size

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

Leaf

Leaf has a lanceolate lamina.

Flowering period

The flowering period is long, lasting from mid-spring to early autumn for a duration of between 130 and 150 days, allowing for various combinations with other ornamental species over the course of the months.

Inflorescence

Inflorescence flower head.

Leaf colour

The Leaf blade is solid-coloured.

Plant height

The plant’s height ranges from 0.1 to 0.18 m; it is therefore also ideal as a ground-cover plant in a flowerbed.

Lifespan

Annual Plant.

Where to plant

Thanks to its profuse and prolonged flowering, as well as its well-developed growth habit, it is widely used to adorn balconies, window boxes, large pots, terraces and flowerbeds

Stem

It has a herbaceous stem and the plant has no thorns.

Flower

The flower is daisy-shaped, medium-small, with a gamopetalous corolla and plain petals. It is arranged in small head-like 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 compact-growing variety, ideal for pots and hanging baskets or for creating dense ground cover in small flowerbeds.

Plant habit

It develops a globular Plant habit.

Branching

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

PH

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

Soil preparation

Before transplanting into the flowerbed, lightly dig over the soil, removing any weeds and large stones; if the soil is compact and poorly drained, it is advisable to mix in some sand. Finally, spread a layer of professional potting compost approximately 5–10 cm thick over the surface and level it carefully, marking out the planting holes at a suitable density.

Read more on the Joyflo blog

Sun exposure

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

Ideal climate and temperature

The biological temperature range is between 7 and 33 °C.The ideal temperature is between 16 and 22 °C; it prefers a temperate climate to ensure proper vegetative growth and produce better flowering.

Use

Thanks to its long-lasting blooms in bright, vibrant colours, it is prized by gardeners and gardening enthusiasts of all experience levels as a plant for

outdoor ornamental use Landscaping

Hardiness

A plant of moderate hardiness, it requires regular watering without waterlogging.

Soil

The ideal soil for Sanvitalia is of medium texture or slightly sandy, enriched and, above all, well-drained; for growing in pots or planters, we recommend a potting mix for spring-flowering plants containing fibrous peat and perlite.

Difficulty

Cultivation isfairly straightforward; the level of effort required for crop management and maintenance is, on the whole, low.

Growing tips

To achieve the best growth and flowering results, we recommend:

Place the plant in the brightest possible spot Avoid direct sunlight during the hottest part of the day

Combinations with other plants

Ideal for planters, baskets or balcony boxes when combined with other non-vigorous flowering ornamental plants such as Ageratum houstonianum, Heliotropium, Pentas lanceolata, Verbena x hybrida, Vinca major, creating combinations of blue, white, orange or red hues depending on the species or variety; it is also suitable for small flowerbeds alongside upright-growing plants such as Antirrhinum majus,Zinnia elegans, Zinnia marylandica, Gaura lindheimeri, Tagetes patula x erecta and Salvia farinacea.

Planting

For use in small flowerbeds, in order to ensure proper root and above-ground development of each individual plant, resulting in a well-proportioned and aesthetically pleasing final arrangement, an average planting density of 22 plants per square metre is recommended. We suggest placing each seedling in a raised bed with the root collar above ground level, taking care not to damage the roots and avoiding burying the root balls completely; they must be kept well moistened. Finally, water immediately after planting, preferably in the morning.

Propagation

Medium.

Watering

This plant requires regular watering, as periods of drought can cause the leaves to turn yellow and the plant to wilt; however, it is more susceptible to overwatering, which leads to waterlogging and consequent root rot. When repotting, water thoroughly without overdoing it and without causing water stress. Thereafter, watering should be balanced and adjusted to maintain a constant level of moisture in the soil or growing medium. It is also advisable not to water the above-ground parts of the plant from above in the late afternoon or evening to prevent the spread of plant diseases.

Read more on the Joyflo blog

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.

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Pet safety

No toxicity to pets is known; avoid administration.

Edibility for humans

Non-edible.

Toxicity for humans

Non-toxic, however avoid ingestion.

Tip

This plant needs to be watered regularly. In fact, it wilts easily in very hot weather, though without suffering any major damage, whilst waterlogging can be fatal if prolonged. Improve the soil in the flowerbed by mixing in a well-draining substrate, mainly peat. It does not require much fertiliser. It is sufficient to fertilise the pot every 15–20 days, except during the hottest period.