Blushing Beauty African Daisy

Osteospermum ecklonis, more commonly called African daisies, are never-fail annuals that bloom for months while constantly looking fresh and perky. Blushing Beauty African Daisy is a lovely, soft combination of yellow and pink and would be at home in any summer or fall mixed container planting. The mounded shape and strong flower stems quickly fill a hanging basket, window box, or planter without stealing the spotlight or fading into the background. Osteospermum is grown for annual color display, although they are fully hardy in USDA zones 10-11 and will even self-seed in the lower zones of 7-9. 

African Daisies are tolerant of coastal wind conditions, moderate urban pollution, and poor soils. Deer rarely cause long-term damage if they browse the early growth, although slugs and snails may need to be controlled until the plant is large enough to flower. Late spring frosts or early fall frosts are no match for African Daisies, as they will keep blooming until a hard freeze. Plant this spectacular bloomer at the front of a garden border, along a walkway, or at the top of a retaining wall to soften and define hard landscaping. Mix it with taller thriller plants and spillers to create a striking and long-blooming mixed seasonal container. 

Blushing Beauty African Daisy Care

Rich soil and good drainage will produce the most flowers, although these plants also grow well in poor soils. Full sun (at least 6 hours) to partial sun exposure is preferred. Fertilizing is generally only needed for container-grown plants. Apply a diluted liquid feed once every 2-3 weeks to replace nutrients lost to repeated watering. Use a bloom-enhancing formulation with an NPK ratio close to 1-4-3. Select a pot with excellent drainage at the bottom to prevent the roots from sitting in water. Allow 1-2 inches of the potting mix to dry between waterings. 

Deadheading spent flowers regularly will encourage the plants to keep blooming while restricting the amount of seed produced. Plants can be grown indoors over the winter, although soft stem cuttings are often a more successful method for overwintering African daisies. Take cuttings of nonflowering stems late in the summer and grow them in a warm and sunny spot over the winter. Move plants back outdoors when the nighttime temperatures are over 50 degrees F in the spring. 

Blushing Beauty African Daisy Spacing

African Daisies are smaller annuals and great for tucking into empty spots in pots or a garden border. Blushing Beauty reaches 10-14 inches high with a width of 14-20 inches. Plants can be spaced 8 inches apart in a bed or garden border. Three plants can be grown comfortably in a 10-inch hanging basket.

Blushing Beauty African Daisy Information