A genus of around 15 species, Rhodanthemum are commonly called the Moroccan daisy.
They are related to Leucanthemum and Chrysanthemums and some species make excellent drought tolerant garden plants.
From Northern Africa particularly around the Atlas mountains, most are low growing, ground cover type plants and all have daisy like flowers.
Different species flower at different times of the year, Rhodanthemum hosmariense flowers in late winter. Rhodanthemum catananche flowers from spring into summer and Rhodanthemum gayana will flower for a long period from spring right through until autumn, making it a very versatile little plant.
Rhodanthemum Description
These are woody spreading perennial plants, 3 lobb3ed leaves, prostrate in growth habit and drought tolerant. Flowers are daisy like, foliage is usually a silvery grey.
Although they can be evergreen, in colder climates they may loose some foliage over the winter mnthe.
Rhodanthemum Care and Growing Conditions
- Position
Full sun to some afternoon shade. - Soil
Humus rich and well drained. - Watering
Water through the first summer as the soil dries. After this, if you mulch around the plants and give them a little afternoon shade they will require little extra water - Fertiliser
A slow release organic fertiliser in early spring will improve growth and flowering. Medium tom low nitrogen types are best. - Pruning
You can deadhead after flowering using sharp shears if you wish to 3extend flooring and maintain a neater clump like appearance.
Rhodanthemum Varieties and Species
- R. hosmariense
- R. hosmariense ‘Marrakech’
- R. catananche
- R. catananche ‘Tizi-nTest’ which is named after a small pass in the Atlas Mountains on the road connecting Marrakech and Taroudant.
- R.catananche ‘Tizi-n-Tichka’ is named after a pass on the road between Marrakesh and Ouarzazate.
- R. gayana ‘Flamingo’
- R. ‘African Eyes’