Care of the plant Layia platyglossa or Common Tidy Tips |
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The genus Layia, family Asteraceae, includes species of herbaceous plants distributed throughout western North America. Some species are: Layia platyglossa, Layia carnosa, Layia chrysanthemoides, Layia fremontii, Layia elegans. Common names: Common Tidy Tips, Coastal tidytips. This species is native to California. Layia platyglossa is an annual herbaceous plant that reaches 30 cm (0.98 feet) in height. The basal leaves are lobed and the upper ones are entire and linear. The attractive flowers of 5 cm (2") in diameter are yellow with white petal tips. It blooms from late winter to late spring. Common Tidy Tips is used in borders, in rockeries, on dry and sunny slopes and in pots for patios and terraces. It is ideal for Mediterranean coastal gardens. It combines very well with plants such as Clarkia, Nemophila menziesii, Dudleya, Eschscholzia californica, Lupinus and Brodiaea. Layia platyglossa needs full sun exposure and a warm climate like the Mediterranean climate. It resists frost well. Coastal tidytips grows in any soil, whether clay, sandy or normal garden soil. Layia platyglossa has some resistance to drought so it needs moderate watering waiting for the substrate to dry; for example, water every 10 days in spring and summer. Fertilize once with mineral fertilizer at the end of winter. Prune off wilted flowers to encourage the appearance of more flowers. Common Tidy Tips is quite resistant to the usual pests and diseases. Layia platyglossa propagates from seeds sown in autumn. |
Images of the plant Layia platyglossa or Common Tidy Tips |
 Layia platyglossa  Layia platyglossa  Layia platyglossa |