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Blue-eyed African Daisy Arctotis stoechadifolia

Previously known as:

  • Arctotis grandis
Phonetic Spelling
ark-TOE-tiss stoee-chad-ih-FOE-lee-a
Description

Arctotis includes approximately 50 species of colorful daisy-like flowers.  These annual or tender perennials in the Aster family are native to Africa and are commonly called African daisies.

First described by Peter Jonas Bergius in 1767, Arctotis stoechadifolia grows in the dunes of its native habitat along the west coast of Cape Province, where its preference for dry conditions is met.

The wooly hairs on the leaves are gray-green, and the creamy white flowers put on a great show in the spring and summer.  The showy flowers are produced above the foliage on multi-branching stems.  The center of each flower holds a steel blue eye with a yellow ring around the eye.  

The plant will spread by seed and rooting at the nodes of the stem quickly. It has become invasive in California and Australia.

Plant in very well-drained sandy or rocky soils in full sun. Use in a rock garden, on a rock wall or sandy areas to help with erosion. It can be used as an annual or half-hardy perennial NC. It is very drought and salt tolerant.  In areas of extreme heat, the flowers may not bloom in the heat of the summer, however, the showy foliage will remain beautiful  

It makes a lovely cut flower, however, they close up in the later part of the day as well as days that don't produce enough sunlight.  Deadheading will encourage additional blooms.  

 

 

 

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#purple#full sun tolerant#drought tolerant#violet#yellow flowers#frost tender#salt tolerant#salt spray tolerant#violet flowers#long bloom time#rock garden#cutting garden#dry soils tolerant#non-toxic for horses#non-toxic for dogs#non-toxic for cats#heat intolerant#humidity intolerant#container plant#broadleaf#annual
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#purple#full sun tolerant#drought tolerant#violet#yellow flowers#frost tender#salt tolerant#salt spray tolerant#violet flowers#long bloom time#rock garden#cutting garden#dry soils tolerant#non-toxic for horses#non-toxic for dogs#non-toxic for cats#heat intolerant#humidity intolerant#container plant#broadleaf#annual
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Arctotis
    Species:
    stoechadifolia
    Family:
    Asteraceae
    Uses (Ethnobotany):
    Container
    Life Cycle:
    Annual
    Perennial
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Seed
    Stem Cutting
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Cape Province, South Africa
    Wildlife Value:
    Attractive to bees and butterflies.
    Play Value:
    Attractive Flowers
    Attracts Pollinators
    Colorful
    Dimensions:
    Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 4 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Annual
    Perennial
    Wildflower
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Semi-evergreen
    Habit/Form:
    Erect
    Growth Rate:
    Medium
    Maintenance:
    Medium
    Texture:
    Medium
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Soil Texture:
    Sand
    Shallow Rocky
    Soil pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Alkaline (>8.0)
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Very Dry
    Available Space To Plant:
    12 inches-3 feet
    3 feet-6 feet
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b, 11a, 11b
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    White
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Head
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Long Bloom Season
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Fall
    Summer
    Flower Shape:
    Radial
    Flower Petals:
    more than 20 petals/rays
    Flower Size:
    1-3 inches
    Flower Description:
    2-3 in. creamy white daisy-like flowers with a blue center. Undersides are marked with dark red. Close up at dusk.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Semi-evergreen
    Leaf Color:
    Blue
    Gray/Silver
    Green
    Leaf Feel:
    Velvety
    Leaf Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Rosulate
    Leaf Shape:
    Obovate
    Leaf Margin:
    Lobed
    Sinuate
    Hairs Present:
    Yes
    Leaf Length:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Width:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Description:
    Large gray-green leaves with toothed margins and are covered in fine hairs, giving it a wooly appearance. The underside of the leaves is silver.
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Form:
    Straight
    Stem Description:
    Ribbed, multi-branching stems root at the nodes.
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Coastal
    Container
    Rock Wall
    Slope/Bank
    Landscape Theme:
    Cottage Garden
    Cutting Garden
    Drought Tolerant Garden
    Pollinator Garden
    Rock Garden
    Design Feature:
    Border
    Small groups
    Attracts:
    Bees
    Butterflies
    Pollinators
    Songbirds
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Drought
    Dry Soil
    Salt