Dimorphotheca ecklonis or Cape marguerite

Care of the plant Dimorphotheca ecklonis or Cape marguerite

The genus Dimorphotheca, family Asteraceae, includes 21 species of herbaceous plants native to the south of the African continent. Some species are: Dimorphoteca ecklonis, Dimorphoteca aurantiaca, Dimorphoteca pluvialis, Dimorphoteca barberiae, Dimorphoteca sinuata, Dimorphoteca calendulacea, Dimorphoteca chrysanthemifolia.

Common names: Cape marguerite, African Daisy, Van Staden's River daisy, Sundays River daisy, White daisy bush, Blue-and-white daisy bush. Scientific synonym: Osteospermum ecklonis. This species is native to South Africa.

They are herbaceous plants of compact and erect bearing that reach 1 meter (3.28 feet) in height but there are much lower creeping varieties. The leaves are lanceolate, alternate and have a sinuate-toothed margin. The very showy flowers are very abundant and present various colors; these flowers are closed at night. They can bloom from mid-winter to early summer.

They are used in pots, in borders and beds, in rockeries and to cover sunny slopes. They are ideal for Mediterranean coastal gardens.

Dimorphotheca ecklonis needs full sun exposure and a Mediterranean climate. Although they can withstand occasional frosts down to -5 ºC (23 ºF), it is better not to expose them to less than 5 ºC (41 ºF).

They grow in any soil that is well drained and contains organic matter even on calcareous soils. They do not resist transplantation well.

Fertilize with organic matter in autumn.

Prune wilted flower stalks and prune intensively in fall to maintain compact growth.

They are quite resistant plants to pests and diseases but are sometimes attacked by aphids.

Propagation from seeds sown in spring in their final location is an unsafe process, so it's recommended to cut tender shoots without flowers in early spring.