Brachyscome multifida

RHS Plant Profile
rock daisy
rock daisy visionspictures.com
Plants for pollinators
Bedding Conservatory Greenhouse

This half-hardy perennial daisy species from Australia, often grown as an annual, has a matting, mounding or gently spreading growth habit growing up to 40 cm in height. It can be used as a bedding or conservatory plant in summer bedding schemes, patio and balcony displays, in containers, window boxes and hanging baskets, but also as a low-growing plant for a sunny rock garden or to spill over a sunny wall. A dainty yet tough cut-leaved 'rock daisy' that can thrive in dry, rocky or shallow soils once well established. It produces pretty mauve, pale pink or white little daisy flowers with petals that are 7 to 10 mm long. Blooms freely in late summer and well into autumn and sometimes winter in sheltered spots. The plant has attractive, fine, deeply-divided mid-green foliage.

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.1-0.5 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
1 year
Max Spread
0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height
0.1-0.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Clay Loam Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained or Well–drained
pH
Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness
H3
Drought Resistance
Yes

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Asteraceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Evergreen
Habit
Spreading branched, Trailing
Genus
Brachyscome can be annuals, deciduous or evergreen perennials, mostly with finely divided leaves and daisy-like flower-heads with purple, blue or white rays and yellow or purple disk florets over a long period
Name Status
Correct
Plant Range
SE Australia

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow on in warm frost free conditions. Acclimatise plants before planting outside in early summer. Pinch out growing points while the plants are small to encourage branching and more stems. Regular pinching will create a well balanced compact plant that is perfect for container cultivation. Will grow in any well drained soil in sun.

Propagation

Propagate by softwood cuttings

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Hanging Basket
  • Sub-tropical
  • Patio and container plants
  • Mediterranean climate plants
  • Bedding
  • Conservatory and greenhouse
  • Flower borders and beds

Pruning

Pinch out growing tips regularly when young for a well-balanced and well-branched plant. Trim off the spent flowers after the first early summer flush, to encourage repeat flowering. Careful and regular dead-heading can prolong the flowering display well into autumn.

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free