The striking bold colours of this indigenous beauty clearly dispel all and any suggestions that indigenous gardens have to be dull, dreary and boring.
The genus Osteospermum belongs to the plant family Compositae (Asteraceae) commonly known as the Daisy family. The plant originates from South Africa, hence the common name ‘African Daisy’.
Osteospermums are relatively new to most gardeners, and were almost unheard of 25 years ago. They have risen in popularity during the last decade as they have become more commercially available, with a wide selection of varieties and colours being grown and sold in garden centres countrywide.
Today Osteospermums are considered a popular summer bedding plant. They are low growing evergreen shrubs with stunning daisy-like flowers that vary in colour, with unique petal shapes and unusual patterns. Most commercially grown Osteospermums reach a total height of about 50cm.
Like other indigenous daisy-type flowers, Osteospermums require full sun for the flowers to fully open. As such they are ideal specimens for rockeries, borders and flower beds. They are also highly suited to container plantings, with the prostrate growing varieties performing well in hanging baskets.
Although often labelled as annuals Osteospermums are in fact half-hardy perennials. This means they are frost tender and will not survive frost conditions. However in frost free area’s they perform as a perennial and if well fed during the cold winter months, should go on to survive for several growing seasons.
Osteospermums have low water requirements and offer a stunning water-wise option for the gardener. Ensure they are planted in well composted soil and while they only require minimal watering, they should not be allowed to dry out.
Flowering is encouraged by regular fertilizing and foliar feeding every 2nd week will ensure your plants flower for many months! Regular dead heading also promotes flowering and will ensure your plants look at their best, for longer.
At the end of the flowering season, leggy plants benefit from being pruned and cut back – allowing fresh side shoots to develop and new growth to be initiated.
In summary, Osteospermums are stunning, rewarding plants that will brighten up any sunny area in the garden. They are also an indigenous, water wise favourite for butterflies.
Look out for these varieties of Osteospermums:
Flower Power Double Berry
Flower Power Double purple
Flower Power Copper Amethyst
Flower Power Spider Pink
Serenity ‘Dark Purple’ PBR
Serenity ‘Lavender Frost’
Serenity ‘Pink Honey’ PBR
Serenity RED PBR
Serenity Pink Magic PBR
Serenity Bronze PBR
Serenity Deep yellow PBR
Serenity Spring Day PBR
Osteospermums flower from spring through summer and autumn. Stunning specimens will be readily available through nurseries and garden centres throughout the country now.
Eastern Cape Stockists:
Floradale Nursery – Port Elizabeth
Floradale Nursery – East London
Red Leaf Nursery – Port Alfred
Builders Express East London
Builders Express – Jeffreys Bay
Builders Express – Newton Park
Builders Express – Queenstown
Builders Express – Uitenhage
Builders Express – Walmer
Builders Express – Walker drive
Builders Warehouse – Port Elizabeth
Free State Stockists:
Alma Kwekery – Welkom
Bruwer Kwekery – Bloemfontein
Builders Warehouse Bloemfontein
Greenside Kwekery – Bloemfontein
Harrismith Kwekery – Harrismith
Plants@Preller – Bloemfontein
Platberg Nursery – Harrismith
Pretty Garden Tuinsentrum – Bloemfontein
Urth Garden Centre – Bloemfontein
Gauteng Stockists:
4 Seasons Nursery – Heidelberg
Colourful Splendour – Craighall Park
Garden Pavilion – Brandmullers
Garden Pavilion – Eckards
Garden Pavilion – Sunkist
GardenShop Broadacres
GardenShop Bryanston
GardenShop Flora Farm
GardenShop Menlo Park
GardenShop Parktown North
Lifestyle Home Garden – Randburg
Montrose Nursery – Morningside
Plant Paradise Garden Centre – Pretoria
Safari Tuinsentrum – Pretoria
Schaffler’s Nursery – Johannesburg
Limpopo Stockists:
Mpumalanga Stockists:
Garden Pavilion – Montana
Garden Pavilion – White River
North West Stockists:
Clarks Tuinsentrum – Lichtenburg
Garden Pavilion – Potchefstroom
Western Cape Stockists:
Cape Garden – Joostenbergvlakte
Cape Garden – Somerset West
Cape Garden – Stellenbosch
Starke Ayres Garden Centre – Rosebank
Starke Ayres Garden Centre – West Coast Village
Stodels – Bellville
Stodels – Constantia
Stodels – Kenilworth
Stodels – Milnerton
Stodels – Somerset West
Builders Express – Kenilworth
Builders Express – Knysna
Builders Express – Stellenbosch
Builders Express – Willowbridge
Builders Warehouse – Cape Gate
Builders Warehouse – City
Builders Warehouse – Constantiaberg
Builders Warehouse – George
Builders Warehouse – Helderberg
Builders Warehouse – Table View
Builders Warehouse – Tygerberg
**Please note that not all stockists will have every plant featured**
