Osteospermum spp.

A prolific daisy that brings cheerful colour from January to May, with purple and white varieties particularly effective spilling over stone walls and brightening borders along paths and driveways.

Osteospermum, also known as the African daisy, produces large daisy-like flowers in white, pink, purple, yellow and apricot from autumn through late spring in the Mediterranean climate — typically October to May, with peaks in February–April. The flowers close at night and on overcast days, opening to face the sun. The grey-green or dark green evergreen foliage is slightly aromatic. Modern hybrids have extended the flowering window into summer, but heat-induced dormancy through July–August is still common. Hardy to -5°C, drought-tolerant once established, the plant requires full sun, sharp drainage and resents waterlogging.

Osteospermum forms a low spreading clump 30–50 cm tall and 60–80 cm wide, ideal for the front of borders, in mass plantings along sunny paths and pool decks, cascading from raised planters and terracotta pots, and in informal coastal compositions. The cool colours — pure white, soft pink, lavender-purple — combine beautifully with the silver-grey of Stachys byzantina, Convolvulus cneorum and Helichrysum italicum; the warmer apricot and yellow forms work with Bulbine frutescens, Lantana camara and Euryops pectinatus. Use as a flowering replacement for annuals around bedding and seasonal containers. Trim back lightly after the first flowering flush to encourage continuous bloom.