Varieties Of Gazania
Daisylike blooms as much as 4 inches across and a willingness to bloom profusely in all but the hottest weather have led to gazania's (Gazania rigens) widespread use as a garden ornamental. This South African native -- sometime called treasure flower -- produces spreading clumps of dandelion-like leaves with distinctive green surfaces and silvery undersides. Several other gazania species also bring their own special appeal to the landscape. Does this Spark an idea?
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Gazania Rigens
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Nicknamed treasure flower because of the jewellike colors of its blooms, Gazania rigens has 8-to-10-inch clumps of grayish-green to green, narrow-lobed leaves. Its petals may be solid or striped. Many cultivars have contrasting, brightly ringed centers. The blooms unfurl atop leafless, 6-to-10-inch stems. The flowers typically open on sunny mornings and close by dark. In cloudy weather, they remain closed. This drought-resistant plant blooms most profusely in mild spring and autumn temperatures. The Gazania rigens Aztec Queen features rusty-red-striped, golden-yellow petals surrounding black-ringed, golden-yellow centers. Fiesta Red's red-orange petals enclose black-ringed, warm brown centers.
Trailing Gazania
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Gazania rigens var. leucolaena Trailing Gazania, a South African native, forms a 4-to-6-inch blanket of green or silver leaves. A single plant can spread between 2 and 3 feet. Trailing Gazania's solid, golden-yellow daisies open just above its foliage from early summer until early fall. Butterflies and bees pay them regular visits. This multifunctional gazania works as a ground cover, edging, container or hanging basket plant. Like Gazania rigens, Trailing Gazania benefits from afternoon shade in hot summer climates.
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Terracotta Gazania
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One of the showstopping performers along the Namaqualand Flower Route, Gazania krebsiana Terracotta Gazania illuminates the western South African deserts with its brilliant color following spring rain. Its 5-inch high clumps of narrow, feathery foliage have glossy, green surfaces and downy, white undersides. In cold weather, the leaves may take on a purplish cast. The leaf mounds, up to 8 inches across, contrast strikingly with Terracotta Gazania's deep-red-to-orange-, 2-to-2 1/2-inch daisies. The flower petals' deep-brown bases may be speckled with black or white. Terracotta daisy thrives in full sun and consistently dry soil, where it makes a soil-stabilizing ground cover. It also works as a container plant.
Narrow-Leaved Gazania
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Accustomed to life in its native South African mountain habitat, Gazania linearis Narrow-leaved Gazania handles winter temperatures approaching 10 below zero in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zone 6. Where winter temperatures remain above freezing, Narrow-leaved gazania is evergreen. It spreads to form a 3-to-4-inch mat of long-stemmed, narrow green leaves. Single plants reach 1 to 2 feet wide. This gazania's brown-ringed, yellow-orange daisies appear in spring and summer. It thrives in partial to full sun and dry, poor-to-average sandy or gravel loam soil.
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