About
Dimorphotheca jucunda, the delightful African daisy, is a rhizomatous, returning perennial reaching around 45 cm with narrow, aromatic, blue-green leaves and solitary, large, daisy-like flowerheads to 5�6 cm across in light pinkish-purple with a dark, contrasting central disc. A rewarding and colourful perennial for a sunny, well-drained border.
About the genus
Dimorphotheca, the African daisies or Cape marigolds, are annuals and woody-based perennials from southern Africa with simple, alternate leaves and large, showy, daisy-like flowerheads in white, yellow or orange, often with a contrasting darker central disc, in summer and autumn.
Growing conditions
SunlightFull sun
Soil typeChalk, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureWell-drained
AspectSouth-facing
ExposureExposed, Sheltered
UK hardinessH3
Plant details
Plant typeHerbaceous Perennial
HabitSpreading branched
FoliageDeciduous
Height0.1-0.5 metres
Spread0.5-1 metres
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesCoastal, Patio and container plants
Native toSouthern Africa
ToxicityPets (rabbits, rodents): Harmful if eaten. For further information and contact numbers regarding pets, see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants
Care notes
CultivationGrow in light, moderately fertile, well-drained soil in a warm, sunny position. In frosty areas overwinter cuttings under glass
PruningCut back to remove winter damage and maintain appearance in spring.
PropagationPropagate by softwood cuttings in late spring or semi-hardwood cuttings in late summer
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to aphids
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to verticillium wilt