Welcome the spring
SPLASH OUT: BRIGHT AND AROMATIC FLOWERS TO AWAKEN THE SENSES
Many hues in hybrid marguerite daisies that are always covered in flowers.
Spring feels as if it is just a heartbeat away, which means it is time for daisies, honey-scented alyssum and aromatic lavender, all flowers that awaken the senses.
Awesome argy’s
Argyranthemum (also known as marguerite daisies) is the first to show off its multitude of flowers in soft spring colours .
Hybrids, like Madeira are a much-improved version of the old-fashioned daisy bush.
Each bush forms a tidy mound, 30 centimetres to 45cm high and wide, that always seems covered in flowers, especially in autumn and spring, through summer and even in winter in warmer gardens.
Besides white, the colour range includes shades of pink, yellow, and red and the blooms are single or double.
There is also the novelty Madeira Sweets which has a yesterday, today and tomorrow effect, whereby the petite blooms change colour as they age, from yellow to pink to white, like a handful of sweets.
The three requirements for argyranthemum are full sun, well composted soil and plenty of water.
Dead heading and trimming keeps them in shape and in flower throughout summer.
They not only work well in beds
and borders but also in containers.
Like most flowers in the daisy family, argyranthemum attracts butterflies and other pollinators.
Cape beauties
The second daisy that comes into its own towards the end of August is osteospermum, also known as the Cape daisy. There is a large colour range and variations seem to be introduced almost every year.
Osteospermum Serenity is the most popular garden variety because it is always neat, grows easily and quickly and is heat tolerant.
It has the largest range of colours, with some interesting variations
like Blue-eyed Beauty, Blushing Beauty with a pink centre and Sunset Magic, where the flowers change colour, giving the impression of a mix.
There is also Flower Power, with its prolific flowers in unique colours and combinations, like Purple Sun and Sunshine Beauty, which has vibrant orange edges that fade into a yellow centre.
Plants are compact and upright, retaining their neat shape in a container.
The best osteo for hanging baskets is the spreading Voltage Yellow that easily fills and overflows baskets.
It is the first of the osteos to flower. It does best with morning sun and afternoon shade, and should be watered daily.
Plant them in fertile, well composted soil and add a potassium-rich fertiliser, like Vigorosa, to boost flowering.
Once established, plants are drought tolerant but will flower better with regular watering.
Water the plants whenever the soil feels dry.
Fragrant alyssum
A fragrant spring flower that can be grown as a ground cover or for spilling over the edge of hanging baskets and containers is alyssum Lavender Stream.
It produces fragrant clusters of soft lavender flowers and has low, spreading foliage.
It is heat tolerant and attracts bees and butterflies.
Plants grow in full sun to partial shade, and like evenly moist soil that should drain. Trim to keep it in shape.
Spring lavender
Lavender stoechas have long been regarded as the best spring lavender because it is the first to flower. After spring, flowering tapers off but not with the new stoechas Primavera that continues flowering in summer.
It can be planted in ordinary garden soil that drains well in full or partial sun. Water deeply and then let the soil dry out moderately before watering again. Fertilise monthly.
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