How to Grow the Purple Daisy

Purple daisies attract butterflies and bees.

Soprano purple daisy (Osteospermum) is an attractive, cupped daisy that is light purple with green foliage. Highly tolerant of heat, the flower blooms vigorously throughout the summer months. The blooms are large---8 to 10 inches in diameter---and may be cut to use in flower arrangements. Soprano purple daisy attracts bees and butterflies and has a mild fragrance. Whether planted alone or in combination with other flowers, it makes a nice addition to any garden.

Things You'll Need

• Soprano Purple daisies
• Soil pH test kit
• Shovel or trowel
• All-purpose granular fertilizer

Instructions

1. Find a sunny location. Soprano purple daisies do best in full sun but can tolerate partial shade.

2. Test the soil pH. Soprano purple daisies thrive in a pH of 6.0 to 6.2. Adjust the soil pH if necessary by adding lime to increase the pH, or sulfur to lower it. Lime and sulfur are available at most gardening centers and should be used per label instructions.

3. Dig a hole for each daisy plant that is the same depth as the container the plant is in. The hole should be deep enough to easily contain the plant's roots and to allow the crown of the plant (the point where the stem meets the roots) to be at soil level.

4. Remove the soprano purple daisy from the container and plant it in the ground. Gently tamp the soil around the plant. Space the daisies 12 to 14 inches apart.

5. Water the daisies regularly to keep the soil moist but not soggy.

6. Fertilize with a general-purpose granular fertilizer every two weeks. Use approximately one handful of fertilizer per plant.

References

• UMass University Extension: Floriculture: Production Guidelines for Osteopermum
• "Indiana Gardner's Guide;" Joellen Sharp, Jo Ellen Meyers Sharp, Tom Tyler; 2004
• Proven Winners: Soprano-Purple-Osteospermum