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Annual Biennial

Osteospermum jucundum var. compactum
  • RHS Plants for pollinators

dwarf African daisy

A compact, mat-forming or trailing half-hardy perennial or annual to 15cm in height with narrow linear to spoon-shaped, sparsely toothed, grey-green leaves and delicate daisy-like pale, purplish-pink flowers on long stalks with a purple to yellow centre, from early summer into autumn

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Size
Ultimate height
0.1–0.5 metres
Time to ultimate height
2–5 years
Ultimate spread
0.1–0.5 metres
Growing conditions
Chalk
Loam
Sand
Moisture
Well–drained
pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring Green Grey Silver
Summer Purple Pink Yellow Green Grey Silver
Autumn Purple Pink Yellow Green Grey Silver
Winter Green Grey Silver
Position
  • Full sun
Aspect

South–facing or West–facing or East–facing

Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered
Drought resistance
Yes
Hardiness
H3
Botanical details
Family
Asteraceae
Native to the UK
No
Foliage
Evergreen
Habit
Bushy
Genus

Osteospermum can be annuals, perennials or sub-shrubs, with aromatic, evergreen, simple or lobed leaves and showy daisy-like flowers over a long period from late spring

Name status

Unresolved

How to grow

Cultivation

Grow in light, moderately fertile, well-drained soil in a warm, sunny position. Tolerate poor soil, salt or drought. In frosty areas overwinter cuttings under glass

Propagation

Propagate by softwood cuttings in late spring or semi-hardwood cuttings in late summer from non-flowering shoots

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Coastal
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Gravel garden
  • Mediterranean climate plants
  • Patio and container plants
  • Bedding
  • Conservatory and greenhouse
  • Flower borders and beds
Pruning

Deadhead regularly and tidy in spring. No pruning required

Pests

May be susceptible to aphids

Diseases

May be susceptible to downy mildews and Verticillium wilt

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