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Blue Marguerite Felicia amelloides

Previously known as:

  • Aster amelloides
  • Aster capensis
  • Aster coelestis
  • Felicia aethiopica
Phonetic Spelling
fe-LEESH-ee-uh am-el-OY-deez
Description

Blue Daisy is a herbaceous perennial, aster-like, small shrub. It is a member of the Asteraceae family and a native to South Africa. While it can be grown as a perennial in frost-free climates (USDA zones 10 and 11), it is more commonly grown as an annual in more northern zones. Blue Daisy grows to about 2 feet high and 2 feet wide and its sky blue blossoms with yellow centers appear through the summer. The leaves resemble leaves in the genus Amellus (also native to South Africa), hence the species name. The genus name honors Felix, a German official at Regensburg, who died in 1846.

Blue Daisy grows best in full sun with average, consistently moist, well-drained soils. These plants do not tolerate wet soils or hot and humid summers, and when planted outdoors in hot climates, flowering declines or stops at mid-summer. Alternatively, you can purchase plants in cell packs from nurseries in spring or start seed indoors about 6 to 8 weeks prior to last spring frost date. This approach allows plants to produce blooms before hot summer weather. If your summers are cooler, seeds can be sown outdoors in the ground around the last spring frost date. Cuttings can also be taken in late summer for overwintering.

Blue Daisy can be grown as a ground cover, but is probably more appropriate as an ornamental.

Diseases, Insect Pests, and Other Plant Problems:

No known insect or disease problems. Aphids and spider mites can be troublesome. Root rot may occur in wet soils. Watch for botrytis.

 

 

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#blue flowers#tender perennial#bushy#daisy-like#groundcover#subshrub#non-toxic for horses#non-toxic for dogs#non-toxic for cats#annual
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#blue flowers#tender perennial#bushy#daisy-like#groundcover#subshrub#non-toxic for horses#non-toxic for dogs#non-toxic for cats#annual
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Felicia
    Species:
    amelloides
    Family:
    Asteraceae
    Life Cycle:
    Annual
    Perennial
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Seed
    Stem Cutting
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    South Africa
    Dimensions:
    Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Annual
    Herbaceous Perennial
    Shrub
    Habit/Form:
    Dense
    Erect
    Maintenance:
    Medium
  • Cultural Conditions:
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    10a, 10b, 11a, 11b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Brown/Copper
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Fall
    Fruit Length:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Width:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Description:
    Dark brown, dry, one-seeded fruits called cypselae are inverted egg-shaped, about 0.16 of an inch long, the surface slightly scaly, and covered with short hairs.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Blue
    Gold/Yellow
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Head
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Summer
    Flower Shape:
    Radial
    Flower Petals:
    7 - 20 petals/rays
    Bracts
    Flower Size:
    1-3 inches
    Flower Description:
    Daisy-like flowers (to 1 1/2 inches diameter) featuring sky blue rays and yellow centers. Blossoms appear June through August where summers are cooler. In hot southern summers, flowering usually declines or stops by mid-summer.
  • Leaves:
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Feel:
    Rough
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Opposite
    Leaf Shape:
    Elliptical
    Ovate
    Leaf Margin:
    Entire
    Hairs Present:
    Yes
    Leaf Length:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Description:
    Rough, hairy, ovate green leaves (to 1 inch long) are relatively large, but vary in size.
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Brown/Copper
    Green
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Form:
    Straight
    Stem Description:
    Long, green to dark reddish stalks.
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Container
    Hanging Baskets
    Walkways
    Landscape Theme:
    Butterfly Garden
    Design Feature:
    Border
    Attracts:
    Butterflies