The Deep Purple African Daisy or Osteospermum ...Cannington John Variety

The above image was taken from my garden September 16, 2009

About the African Daisy

The stunning African Daisy Cannington John Variety is a Deep Purple Beauty for any annual flowerbed design. This annual bedding plant originates from South Africa and for me the Cannington John from the Spooned variety is by far the most beautiful of the daisy varieties. However, I have tried growing the African Daisy 3 times (in containers). The first flush of daisy flowers is outstanding. Thereafter the blooming is sporadic at best. Even though I deadhead the spent daisy blooms and even cut back the annual plant, I cannot seem to get a second real flush of blooms.

The Spooned variety has stunning purple petals (ray florets) cupped at the end and each stem has one 4" bloom. I have stayed with the Purple Petal Cannington John (in the image above) and the Pink Petal Pink Whirl (in the image below).

Another terrific variety is the Sunadora Series , with brilliant daisy flower colors of red, cream, white, yellow and orange.

How To Grow the African Daisy

In the past couple of weeks I have learned somewhat of the this daisy. I do believe that I allowed mine to dry out as I plant mine in pots to sit on the deck stairs. This spot is in full hot sun. And perhaps I under fertilized. They do say to fertilize this annual once a week.

I was told by one gardening professional that they stop blooming in the heat. Then, I was told by another professional that they do not like cool damp weather...so which is it? I'll stay with the fertilize more and don't let the daisy plants dry out!

Great companion plants: Ageratum Blue Hawaii or the Dusty Miller.

Vist my Site Index Page for a list of additional plants.

General Features of the African Daisy:

• prefers full sun
• daisy like petals
• prefers rich soil but will tolerate a poorer soil
• heavy feeder. Fertilize often to keep the blooms coming
• water regularly as they will go to sleep and not bloom if allowed to dry out
• space plants 9" apart if planting in the ground
• great for mass plantings or in containers
• height reaches 12" to 18"
• deadhead the spent blooms to encourage more flowers
• great for hanging baskets or window boxes

Related pages:

Go back from African Daisy Page to Gardening and landscaping Makeover Home Page

Can't find what you are looking for? Use the Search Box below and thanks for visiting my web site.

Please visit again and why not 'Bookmark' this site as a favorite...makes it easy to find us again.