Marguerite Daisies or Federation Daisy
A long time garden stalwart c (syn Chrysanthemum frutescens) provide us with long lasting colourful flowers. Commonly called the ‘Marguerite Daisies’, ‘Daisy Bush’ and sometimes the Federation Daisy, this is an evergreen shrub with a natural dense habit.
Also know as the Paris Daisy, in a cool to temperate climate these are a long flowering plant, they flower continually for around 12 weeks
What is the difference between Federation Daisies and Marguerite daisies? – Federation Daisies are simply Australian-bred Marguerite daisies.
A number of hybrids are available many bred in Australia.’ The species is a perennial with pale yellow or white daisy like flowers.
They are long flowering, and flowering time will vary according to the climate. In warmer areas they flower from autumn through to spring. In cooler climates they will flower right through summer.
Very hardy they are well suited to growing both in containers and in the garden. With masses of flowers from autumn through to spring they make an great plant for a sunny patio, also useful for cut flowers.
Flower Colours
The colour pallet is ever increasing with hybridisation, pinks, whites, yellows and reds, they also come in double flowering forms. These are originally from from the Canary Islands and Madeira and are the old fashioned daisy plants that gardeners love.
Height and Growth Rate
Depending on variety, climate and soil, Argyranthemum frutescens will reach around 60 cm to 1 metre in height, with a similar spread.
Growth rate is fast and they are well suited growing in the middle of the garden border where they add a little height. They are also suited to growing in containers in courtyards or on a balcony.
Argyranthemum frutescens Care
These are not fussy plant although they do prefer a well drained soil and a sunny position.
Full sun well, humus rich well drained soil, and suited to growing in containers.
After planting and watering in with a liquid seaweed fertiliser ongoing care is easy. A slow release type fertiliser after flowering is about all that is needed after this,
Pruning
Easy to maintain by simply pruning back in late summer or spring, this will keep the plant bushy and healthy. You can also deadhead through the flowering season to promote more flowers.
Plants can be tip pruned from an early age to promote a bushy habit.
Gardeners should be advised not to cut back not old wood as it will probably not re shoot .
- How much can you prune back? – Usually around 50 %.
- The best time to prune is in early spring.
Varieties
With new cultivars being released regularly we list some of the more popular varieties at time of writing.
- Argyranthemum frutescens ‘Summer Eyes’ has attractive crimson red centres with white petals.
- Argyranthemum frutescens ‘Sunny Days’ has pale yellow petals with a deeper yellow anemone centre.
- Argyranthemum frutescens ‘Sunday Best’ is a double pink flowering form
- A. Peppermint – Single white flowers flecked with pink.
- A. Tracey – Double pink flowers on a compact bush.
Argyranthemum varieties are available for sale from the following nurseries
www.planterspatch.com.au