How to grow Blue Daisy

A free-draining substrate is required and plants should be given regular, moderate watering. Termperatures should be kept above a minimum of 3˚C in order to overwinter the plants successfully. A position in full sun is ideal. Whitefly and aphids can be problematic from time to time and these are kept under control by the use of biological and cultural controls. In order to keep blue marguerites looking their best they should be re-propagated each year; however, it is easier to trim back the plants from time to time. Dead-heading can also be carried out to prolong the flowering period. ¹

The place should preferably be sunny but it will flower if planted as a groundcover in light shade under trees or in small beds making a blue collar around tree trunks. It needs a light, sandy or gravelly soil with good drainage and much compost if possible. Give a dressing of fertilizer for flowering plants (with ratio of N:P:K = 3:1:5) or a general fertilizer (ratio of 2:3:2) and mix some super phosphate into the soil. Water it regularly, but moderately, especially during the dry season. ²

Once established, this felicia is quick growing and can look good for many years. When young, it can be made to bush well if the main shoots are pinched out. Light pruning during the summer will encourage more crops of flowers. To improve appearance, cut off the many old flowers. After about three years, it may need to be cut back if it gets straggly. If it becomes frost-damaged, it will usually resprout and flower a little later than usual. ²

Plants will live up to 5 years.

Propagate by seed or cuttings in spring. The latter method is quicker and the resultant plants should flower in about a year.

To propagate by cuttings cut non flowering stems just below a node. Remove most of the leaves and side shoots only leaving 2-3 of the upper ones. You may use rooting hormone if desired. Place cuttings in damp sand or a mixture of one part fine pine bark and one part sand. Cover in clear plastic to keep humidity up and and sand damp.²

Established plants often self-seed easily so seedlings may be found nearby or at quite a distance. These can be transplanted to a new position.

These estimates for how long Blue daisy takes to sprout, grow and harvest are from real observations from real gardeners, right around the world.

It belongs to the genus Felicia, which is thought to be named after a German official, Herr Felix, who died in 1846.

Felicia amelloides has appeared on South African stamps between 2000 and 2003. It is mainly used as an ornamental, but has also been used to stabilise sand dunes, due to its ability to withstand dry, windy areas.

Blue felicia bush, Shrubby felicia, Bush felicia, Blue felicia, Blue marguerite, Blue daisy bush, Paris daisy (eng.); bloumagriet, Blou-astertjie (afr.)

Misspellings: Margerite

¹ Kew

² Plantz Africa