Select Gazanias

Gazanias are sun-loving perennial plants native to Southern Africa. The native and hybrid gazanias offer flowers in pastel and in bold colors. These low-growing plants tolerate poor soil, dry climates and heat. They will put up with salty air and still bloom vigorously.

Things You'll Need

• Gazania seedlings
• Gazania bedding plants
• Gazania groundcover flats
• Gazania spot color plants

Instructions

1. 

   Go to a garden center or local nursery to select gazanias. Their colors and variety show early so you can see the flowers exactly as they will grow in the garden. Gazanias grow so easily from cuttings and seedlings that many gardeners buy plants rather than seeds. Plant gazanias in sunny locations where they will dry out periodically. The gazanias are drought tolerant and excellent for poor soil gardens. Though they are perennial in warm climates, treat them as annuals in cold climates. In colder areas they provide late summer and fall flowers.

2. 

   Choose trailing gazanias for wide-spreading groundcover in mild or arid climates. These gazanias have silvery leaves and yellow flowers. They cover slopes and arid spaces. Once established, trailing gazanias require little maintenance other than occasional water and some nitrogen fertilizer. They may die out in places and leave a gap in the groundcover. Just break off nearby cuttings or rooted pieces and water until the fill-in gazanias take root. Gazania groundcover is less than 1 foot tall.

3. Search for semi-trailing gazanias for smaller areas. These gazanias are not as well known as the trailing and bunching gazanias. These gazanias spread at a slow rate compared to wide-ranging trailing gazanias. They are ideal for smaller landscape areas or garden patches that need a mass of flowers. These gazanias are great for gardens in transition. They are not invasive so are perfect to cover a bare area for a year or two while a more permanent garden is designed.

4. 

   Plant clumping gazanias along walkways and in patio containers. These colorful gazanias are top choices for rock gardens and xeriscape accents. These gazanias offer a wider selection of flower colors than groundcover gazanias. Clumping plants grow 12 to 15 inches tall. They form clumps of leaves topped by brilliant flowers. They are easily divided to form more plants. Gazanias fill a corner with a mass of color.

5. Seek out dwarf gazanias for small, drought tolerant plants. Dwarf gazanias grow up to 8 inches tall and are great to tuck into containers and small borders. Pinch off the small 2-inch flowers when they die off. This encourages gazanias to continue blooming.

6. 

   Keep gazanias in mind for problem soils and dry landscape areas. When other bedding plants or annuals die off in poor or salty soil, try gazanias. They are resilient plants that repay your attention with abundant and beautiful flowers. With increasing water-restrictions, gazanias have a place in every garden.