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Osteospermum 'Iced Gem'

African daisy 'Iced Gem'

An upright and gently spreading shrubby perennial that thrives in sun and grows up to approximately 30-40 cm high. The leaves are quite striking: grey- to mid-green with pale creamy yellow variegation, up to 10cm long, and can be linear or lance-shaped, and can have toothed edges. The daisy flowerheads are about 5-8cm across, with bright silvery-white petals which are touched with blue-purple at their bases as they approach the blue-purple flower centres.

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Ultimate height

0.1–0.5 metres

Time to ultimate height

1–2 years

Ultimate spread

0.5–1 metres

Chalk

Loam

Sand

Moisture

Moist but well–drained, Well–drained

pH

Acid, Alkaline, Neutral

	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Full sun

Aspect

South–facing or West–facing or East–facing

Exposure

Exposed or Sheltered

Drought resistance

Yes

Hardiness
Hardiness ratings
All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets
H1a: under glass all year (>15C)
H1b: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1c: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)

Botanical details

Family: Asteraceae
Native to the UK: No
Foliage: Evergreen
Habit: Bushy
Potentially harmful: Pets (rabbits, rodents): Harmful if eaten. For further information and contact numbers regarding pets, see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants
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 fertile, very well-drained soil in a warm site in full sun with shelter from cold winds. In frost-prone climates, propagate reserve plants every year, and overwinter young plants in frost-free conditions. Drought tolerant once well established

Propagation

Propagate by softwood cuttings in late spring, or by 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
hanging basket
Mediterranean climate plants
Patio and container plants
Gravel garden
Low Maintenance
Bedding
Conservatory and greenhouse
Flower borders and beds
Ground cover
Wall side borders
Banks and slopes

Pruning

No pruning required, but regular dead-heading can help prolong flowering into late summer and early autumn

Pests

Generally pest-free. May be susceptible to aphids

Diseases

Generally disease-free. May be susceptible to downy mildews and Verticillium wilt

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