Blue-and-white daisybush
Dimorphotheca ecklonis · Asteraceae
📷 Javier martin · Public domain
The gardener's calendar
Blue-and-white daisybush is in full bloom: enjoy it, watch watering in hot weather and let spent flowers feed pollinators before pruning.
ID card
- Common name
- Cape Daisy
- Family
- Asteraceae
- Form
- Herbaceous, bushy
- Adult height
- About 50 cm
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Flowering
- May to September
- Exposure
- Full sun
- Hardiness
- Tender, mild climate or annual cultivation
✓ Taxonomy verifiedSource: AI estimate · hardiness: reliability medium.
Expert tips
The key tip
Stiff foliage and demands impeccable drainage. In coastal or humid climates, plant on a slight mound.
The common mistake
Watering regularly "just to be safe": the plant rots from root rot within weeks.
The pro's trick
Pinch back the tips at first planting (May) to force low, compact branching: without this, it gets leggy and won't flower well.
Care
Exposure
The Cape Daisy needs a sunny location for generous and long-lasting flowering. Place it in full sun for at least 6 hours per day. It thrives in a Mediterranean climate or in mild regions; in cold climates, grow it as an annual or in a pot that can be brought indoors.
Watering
Water moderately during dry periods, as this plant prefers rather dry soil. Allow the soil to dry between waterings to prevent root rot. In pots, reduce watering in winter.
Soil
Choose well-drained, light soil that is poor to medium fertility. A potting mix for flowering plants mixed with sand works perfectly. Avoid overly rich soils that promote foliage at the expense of flowering.
Fertilizing
Apply a balanced or diluted fertilizer every 3 to 4 weeks during the flowering period. Reduce feeding in autumn and stop in winter. Excess nitrogen produces lush foliage at the expense of flowers.
Pruning and maintenance
Pinch out young plants to encourage branching and a bushy form. Remove spent flowers regularly to prolong flowering. In late winter or spring, lightly rejuvenate the stems.
Diseases and pests
The Cape Daisy resists disease well in dry conditions. Watch out for powdery mildew and rot in excessively moist soil. Inspect regularly for spider mites or aphids, especially indoors or under shelter.
Did you know?
The Cape Daisy, native to South Africa, owes its scientific name Dimorphotheca to its flowers with two different forms: the florets in the center and the rays around the edge are not identical. This peculiarity made it a favorite in Mediterranean gardens and European botanical collections since the 19th century.
Where to buy it
Plant in spring or early autumn, avoiding spells of intense heat. Pick a plant with healthy foliage and roots that are not exposed. Best time: March, April, May, September.
Add this plant to my garden →Plants from the same family
- SunflowerHelianthus annuus
- YarrowAchillea millefolium
- Ox-eye daisyLeucanthemum vulgare
- SneezewortAchillea ptarmica
- Canadian goldenrodSolidago canadensis
- WormwoodArtemisia absinthium
Tips generated and checked by Viridia — adapt them to your local climate.