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Dimorphotheca pluvialis

Phonetic Spelling
dy-mor-foh-THEE-kuh ploo-vee-AL-iss
Description

White African Daisy is an annual in the sunflower family that is native to Southern Africa. This plant blooms with many showy white ray flowers during the growing season. The flowers close at night and on cloudy days. It prefers cool-weather summer areas and has difficulty with the humidity of the SE. 

Use this plant in the front of the border, in small groupings, along walkways or in containers. Plant in full sun in fertile well-drained soil. Take care not to get the leaves wet when watering to prevent rot. 

This plant is unusual in that it forms 2 types of seeds. The ones formed byt the center disc flowers germinate first. The ones formed by the rays have a delayed germination time. This protects the plant from unfavorable environmental conditions.

 

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#full sun tolerant#white flowers#mass planting#long bloom time#border front#walkway planting#non-toxic for horses#non-toxic for dogs#non-toxic for cats#container plant#annual
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#full sun tolerant#white flowers#mass planting#long bloom time#border front#walkway planting#non-toxic for horses#non-toxic for dogs#non-toxic for cats#container plant#annual
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Dimorphotheca
    Species:
    pluvialis
    Family:
    Asteraceae
    Life Cycle:
    Annual
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Seed
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Southern Africa
    Dimensions:
    Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 1 ft. 4 in.
    Width: 0 ft. 6 in. - 1 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Annual
    Habit/Form:
    Erect
    Spreading
    Growth Rate:
    Medium
    Maintenance:
    Medium
    Texture:
    Medium
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Soil Texture:
    High Organic Matter
    Loam (Silt)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    Available Space To Plant:
    12 inches-3 feet
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    9a, 9b, 10a, 10b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Brown/Copper
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Fall
    Summer
    Fruit Type:
    Achene
    Fruit Length:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Width:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Description:
    The achenes formed by the disc flowers are winged. The ones formed by the ray flowers are oval and flat.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Purple/Lavender
    White
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Head
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Long Bloom Season
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Spring
    Summer
    Flower Shape:
    Radial
    Flower Petals:
    more than 20 petals/rays
    Flower Size:
    1-3 inches
    Flower Description:
    The flowers have white rays that surround yellow-brown disc flowers. The rays are purple-tinged near the base giving it a ringed look and on the undersides.
  • Leaves:
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Shape:
    Oblanceolate
    Obovate
    Leaf Margin:
    Dentate
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    3-6 inches
    Leaf Width:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Description:
    3.5-inch long green narrow obovate to oblanceolate leaves with dentate margins
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Container
    Small Space
    Walkways
    Landscape Theme:
    Cottage Garden
    Rock Garden
    Design Feature:
    Border
    Small groups
    Problems:
    Short-lived