Dimorphotheca ecklonis

RHS Plant Profile

deep purple African daisy

Synonyms

Osteospermum ecklonis
Calendula eckerlinii hort.

Shrubs

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An erect or spreading evergreen shrub or subshrub, up to 1m high, with aromatic grey-green leaves, up to 10cm long, which may be linear-oblong, elliptic or lance-shaped, and entire, partly or wholly toothed, and flowerheads, 5-8cm across, with dark blue disc florets and ray florets which are white above and indigo below, throughout the summer

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Chalk, Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.5-1 metres

Max Spread

0.5-1 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 2–5 years
Max Spread: 0.5-1 metres
Max Height: 0.5-1 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Loam Sand

Moisture: Well–drained
pH: Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun

Aspect: West–facing or South–facing
Exposure: Sheltered
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): H3
Drought Resistance: Yes

Colour & Scent

Fragrance Foliage

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Asteraceae
Native to GB/Ireland: No
Foliage: Evergreen
Habit: Spreading branched
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: Dimorhotheca can be annuals or woody-based, evergreen perennials with simple, alternate leaves and large daisy-like flower-heads in summer and autumn
Name Status: Correct
Plant Range: Eastern Cape

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in light, moderately 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

Propagation

Propagate by seed, sown at 18°C in spring; by softwood cuttings in late spring; or by semi-ripe cuttings in late summer

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Coastal
Cottage and informal garden
City and courtyard gardens
Gravel garden
Patio and container plants
Mediterranean climate plants
Flower borders and beds
Banks and slopes
Ground cover
Wall side borders

Pruning

No pruning required, but deadheading will prolong flowering

Pests

Generally pest-free but may be susceptible to aphids

Diseases

Generally disease-free but may be susceptible to downy mildews and verticillium wilt