Daisies at their best
They may have a daft name, but osteospermums offer unrivalled summer colour
THE branding gurus were clearly having a bad day when they were t asked with coming up with a new name for a group of summerflowering daisies. Faced with changing almost unpronounceable dimorphotheca into something more palatable, they settled on the equally awkward title of osteospermum.
As far as botanical names go, it’s a bit of a stinker. Fortunately, this family of annuals, perennials and shrub-like plants from southern Africa and parts of the Middle East has collected a number of more user- friendly monikers. Among these are African daisy, Cape daisy and daisy bushes.
Let’s not get too hung up on names when a plant has so much to offer us. In my opinion, osteospermums are one of the most valuable summer-flowering garden plants, churning out an endless supply of cheery blooms in a multitude of shades, often from late spring until the first frosts
Pots of young plants appear in garden centres and nurseries in spring, but for a better choice of varieties, including all the latest ones, check outt the range of plug plants offered by online suppliers.
Once they are set in pots or the ground, they will grow quickly to add a burst of colour this summer. There are close to 100 different osteospermums available ini Britain, ranging from ground-covering types a few inches high to erect bushes up to 5ft tall.
Measuring 2- 3in across, flowers come in shades of white, yellow, orange, pink, red and purple, with some that are two- tone or have contrasting central eyes.
LIKE other plants in t he daisy family, osteospermum shave flower heads that actually consist of many individual tiny flowers. Their petals are technically sterile ray flowers, while the eye-like, central structure they surround are a dense cluster of miniature disc flowers.
Some of the most striking varieties have so- call ed spooned flower heads, where the rays appear like they have been pinched together in the centre, before opening up at the tip to form a spoon shape. The most readily available are the ‘ Flower
Power Spider’ range of white, pink and purple varieties.
Osteospermums are ideal in gravel gardens, coastal displays and at the front of beds and borders, along with being set next to paths or allowed to sprawl over walls.
They will thrive in light, well-drained soil. It is possible to grow them in clay, but its higher fertility tends to result in leggier growth.
They prefer a fairly warm, sheltered spot, although compact, sprawling varieties are capable of putting up with a buffeting every now and again. Due to their farflung origins, most are true sun worshippers with the exception of a handful that will cope with a little shade.
As for plant partners, try them alongside grasses, fennel, irises and euphorbias, or setting them beneath asters, towering red hot pokers and agapanthus. Their relaxed form makes them ideal for softening t he outline of architectural specimens, such as phormiums, yuccas and cordylines. A quirk of
POWERFUL IMPACT:
Osteospermums put on a stunnings display in containers and, left, the fabulously vibrant blooms of Purple Sun most osteospermums is that their flowers close at night, or during cloudy conditions. Those who like to enjoy their outdoor space in the evening might find this irritating. Luckily, breeding has led to the ‘ 3D’ and ‘ 4D’ series, whose blooms stay open 24/7. Another option is to raise compact or trailing osteospermums in pots. Use multi-purpose compost with added controlled- release fertiliser granules.
To get the best out of osteospermums, water regularly over summer and feed every couple of weeks with a liquid plant food. Remove spent flowers to ensure a regular supply of new buds. If plants look leggy, cut back by half to encourage thicker stems and side shoots.
Osteospermum jucundum var. compactum and a few other perennial types are hardy. However, most will curl up their toes at the mere mention of frost. Fortunately, there are lots of clever ways to safeguard these beauties.
If you live in a mild part of the country where frosts are rare, then plants should survive if covered with openended cloches. It’s more difficult to overwinter them in cooler regions – either take semi- ripe cuttings in late summer as a precaution or cut back, lift and store dormant plants indoors.