African Daisies: RESILIENT STUNNERS FOR A COLOURFUL GARDEN

With their striking petal colours and heat-tolerant habits, African daisies are the perfect pick for sun-drenched beds and borders – especially as we transition into spring and summer

- BY JADE MCGEE

If you're looking to bring bold, long-lasting colour to your garden as the seasons start to shift, African daisies are an excellent choice. Also known as Cape daisies or blue-eyed daisies, these hardy sun lovers are as tough as they are beautiful. Whether planted en masse or used to brighten up a container display, African daisies offer months of vibrant flowers with minimal fuss.

Native to South and East Africa, African daisies (Osteospermum spp.) have adapted to survive in dry, sunny conditions. They are incredibly popular with South African gardeners for good reason: their vivid blooms range from buttery yellows and fiery oranges to soft pinks, purples and even whites. Some varieties boast striking contrasting centres or spoon-shaped petals, adding visual drama to any planting scheme.

WHAT MAKES THEM SPECIAL?

These daisy-like perennials or annuals typically flower from early summer through to mid-autumn, especially in areas with warm days and cool nights. Native species feature white petals and blue centres, but cultivated hybrids come in a dazzling array of colour combinations. Flowers open in sunlight and close at night or on cloudy days - a charming trait that makes them all the more enchanting to watch.

Most plants grow to a height of around 30-90 cm and spread, depending on the cultivar. Their neat, bushy growth habit and long-lasting blooms make them ideal for edging paths, filling gaps in borders, or adding bursts of colour to balcony containers. When happy, they will flower abundantly and need very little encouragement to keep going.

HOW TO GROW AFRICAN DAISIES IN YOUR GARDEN