Argyranthemum Daisy Penny Red

Class

Dicotyledons

Division

Angiospermae

Family

Ranunculaceae

Order

Asterales

Genus

Argyranthemum

Species

frutescens

Description

A semi-woody perennial herbaceous plant, vigorous and bushy; appreciated by growers, hobbyists and landscapers for its prolonged flowering from early spring until late summer with abundant flowers rising from the jagged foliage, whose characteristic daisy-like shape and light scent attracts useful insects such as bees and butterflies. Very hardy and easy to manage, it is widely used in homogeneous groups or in compositions with other ornamentals in a harmonious symbiosis for flowerbeds, including those in urban areas, and for borders; it is also suitable for decorating terraces and balconies inside flowerpots and tubs where it will add a vivid splash of colour.

Variety description

The daisy, as it is commonly called, is a plant that has a very abundant and prolonged flowering in spring, and a re-flowering in autumn after the strong summer heat. Various colours can be found on the market, from classic white to yellow and red. This cultivar in particular is very vigorous, and lends itself to cultivation in large pots and also for dialect training. It is also a Synthetic cultivation information plant that adapts to different types of soil, a plant that is very demanding of fertiliser.

Origin and distribution

A species native to the Canary Islands where it grows wild, it arrived in the early 18th century in the United Kingdom and then spread throughout Europe as an ornamental plant for both private and public gardens; the subject of painstaking selection work, it is now on the market with varieties of different heights and with inflorescences of various colour shades.

Flower size

The flower is small, very showy.

Leaf

The leaf has a pinnate lamina.

Flowering period

It is a species prized for its prolonged flowering, which occurs from early spring to summer for a duration of 90 to 100 days, allowing it to add a long-lasting accent of colour to your outdoor spaces.

Inflorescence

Inflorescence umbrella.

Leaf colour

Homogeneous leaf blade.

Plant height

The height of the plant varies from 0.25 to 0.35 m, ideal for creating sinuous, perspective lines of sight in flowerbeds with other plants of different development.

Lifespan

Perennial plant, sometimes cultivated as an annual depending on the climatic conditions in the area of use.

Where to plant

Its high rusticity and large, showy flowers make it a highly aesthetic ornamental choice for flowerbeds, borders, planters, outdoor tubs

Stem

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

Flower

The flower is daisy-shaped, small, with a dialipetal corolla and single-coloured petals. It is arranged in small umbel inflorescences. It flowers from early spring to summer, with a flowering period of between 90 and 100 days. It has bitter notes and is unscented, with a delicate aroma. It is attractive to beetles, bees, butterflies and bumblebees.

Growth

It shows compact growth, ideal for creating homogeneous groups in flowerbeds or planters.

Plant habit

Typical globular habit with an abundance of leaves and flowers.

Branching

The abundant branching gives a scenic appearance with compact masses of foliage from which showy flowers rise.

PH

The ideal growing pH in a flower bed is neutral on average, with optimum values between 6.5 and 7.0.

Soil preparation

Before transplanting into the bed, carry out light digging, removing any weeds and bulky stones. It is advisable to add professional-quality substrate on the surface to an average height of 5/10 cm and carefully level out the planting holes to a suitable density.

Sun exposure

It expresses best growth and flowering results when exposed in half shade, light shade, full sun.

Ideal climate and temperature

The ideal temperature is between 15 and 20 °C; in geographical areas with cold winters, protection with mulch is recommended.

Use

Due to its vigorous growth and lush blooms that last throughout the spring-summer period, it is appreciated in
Ornamental

Hardiness

Characterised by high rusticity under suitable soil conditions, free of waterlogging, and adequate fertilisation.

Soil

For gardens and flowerbeds, it offers the best growth results in a medium or sandy, well-draining soil; for use in pots, a spring plant substrate of fibrous peat and perlite is recommended.

Difficulty

It is an easy plant to cultivate, the level of management effort is low overall and the nutrient requirements are met by regular fertilisation.

Growing tips

In order to ensure proper development, pay attention to the following cultivation measure:
Expose the plant to maximum light Always keep the substrate moist Always keep plenty of fertiliser to avoid yellowing of the vegetation.

Combinations with other plants

Ideal in compositions with other ornamentals such as Bidens ferulifolium, Helichrysum petiolare, Lavandula stoechas, Lobelia erinus, Verbena as well as spring-summer flowering bulbous plants; The combinations can emphasise the different colour nuances of the blooms but also create movement by arranging the plants in tiers according to their final growth height, creating landscaped perspective cones. In this regard, combinations with plants with spiky inflorescences such as Digitalis and Verbascum, or with grasses such as Carex and Pennisetum are also recommended.

Planting

When transplanting into flowerbeds, care should be taken to space each specimen correctly in order to ensure proper root development and consequently aerial growth, achieving proportionate final results; in detail, an average density of 6 plants per square metre is recommended.

Propagation

Vegetative propagation is by apical cuttings.

Watering

Use rainwater, alternatively aqueduct water, either manually or with an irrigation system. When transplanting, pay more attention to the seedling, which may be more exposed to water stress in the new site, so avoid desiccation by ensuring constant humidity but not overdoing it. Afterwards, always keep the soil or substrate moist without causing stagnation which can lead to root rot. It is also suggested not to water the flowering plant from above so as not to damage the flowers.

Fertilising

Fertilisers for flowering and ornamental plants are generally suitable for ensuring suitable development and abundant flowering throughout the spring and summer seasons. Regular addition of a liquid fertiliser to the substrate or soil, diluted in the irrigation water, is recommended.

Pet safety

Non-toxic to pets if ingested in small amounts; however, avoid administration and consider the specific case.

Edibility for humans

Non-edible.

Toxicity for humans

Toxicity not known; avoid ingestion.

Tip

Do not water the plant from above when it is in full bloom. Light pruning after the spring-summer flowering restarts the vegetation that will then lead to a late-summer autumn flowering.