Cape Daisy Arctotis stoechadifolia
Other Common Name(s):
Other plants called Cape Daisy:
Previously known as:
- Arctotis grandis
- Phonetic Spelling
- ark-TOE-tiss stoee-chad-ih-FOE-lee-a
- Description
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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:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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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.
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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
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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
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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.
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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.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Form:
- Straight
- Stem Description:
- Ribbed, multi-branching stems root at the nodes.
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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