Dimorphotheca aurantiaca      
African daisy   
Asteraceae Family     

Dimorphotheca aurantiaca in a xeriscape

Form: herbaceous annual wildflower
Seasonality: annual
Size: 1 - 1.5ft high
Leaves: light green, flat, linear, 2-3in long, irregular margin
Flowers: daisy-like; yellow or orange, sometimes white; bloom March - April or as soon as temperatures warm
Fruit: abundant seeds
Stems/Trunks: n/a
Range/Origin: native of South Africa
Hardiness: not hardy; late frost will kill tender seedlings

 

LANDSCAPE VALUE:

• early spring color
• wildflower gardens

  flower form

• annual color in xeriscapes

CULTURAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Exposure: full sun
• Water: water flowering plants every week; fall-sown seeds need weekly watering if winter rains are sparse
• Soil: any well drained
• Propagation: annually from seed; self-sows
• Maintenance: none; leave dried seed heads on to encourage self-sowing

Research by Master Gardener Toni Moore

NOTES:

One of many annual flowers known by the common name "African Daisy"

Sow seeds in winter for extravagant spring display. Dead plants can be mowed and debris left in place as mulch for next year's display.

Can be invasive. In some areas Dimorphotheca aurantiaca has naturalized and competes with native species.

African daisies in March

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This page was first created March 9, 2005 and last modified March 11, 2005.

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Web page design and photographs by Toni Moore, Master Gardener
email to: tmoore1@flash.net

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