Gazania Gazania rigens
Other Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- gah-ZAY-nee-ah RIG-ens
- Description
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Gazanias are low growing half hardy perennials in the aster family and are native to coastal areas of southern Africa. They have large daisy-like flowers on trailing stems and can be grown in containers or hanging baskets or in the garden in borders or mass plantings. The blooms of this plant are orange to yellow but there are many cultivars offering a variety of colors. The flowers close at night and may not open completely on cloudy days. During the hottest part of summer in the south, they may stop blooming until fall as they do best in cool summer areas. Use as an annual or overwinter containers indoors. Stem cuttings can be rooted and overwintered also.
Gazanias prefer sandy to average well-drained soils and are tolerant of loams and poor soils. Allow the soil to dry between waterings, plant in full sun for best blooming and deadhead to encourage continued blooms.
The genus name comes come from the Latin word gaza meaning "treasure".
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems:
No significant problems. Do not overwater to prevent root rot. Powdery mildew and mealybugs may occur. Watch for aphids if taken indoors. Some cultivars have shown poor resistance to phytophthora root rot and stem rot. See Phytophthora Root and Crown Rot in the Landscape.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- 'Daybreak Bright Yellow'
- 'Daybreak Garden Sun'
- 'Golden Margarita'
- 'New Day Tiger Mix'
Poor resistance to phytophthora root rot or stem rot. - 'Sundrop'
- 'Talent Orange'
- var. leucolaena
yellow flowers
- 'Daybreak Bright Yellow'
- 'Daybreak Bright Yellow', 'Daybreak Garden Sun', 'Golden Margarita', 'New Day Tiger Mix', 'Sundrop', 'Talent Orange', var. leucolaena
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Daybreak Bright Yellow'
- 'Daybreak Garden Sun'
- 'Golden Margarita'
- 'New Day Tiger Mix'
Poor resistance to phytophthora root rot or stem rot. - 'Sundrop'
- 'Talent Orange'
- var. leucolaena
yellow flowers
- 'Daybreak Bright Yellow'
- 'Daybreak Bright Yellow', 'Daybreak Garden Sun', 'Golden Margarita', 'New Day Tiger Mix', 'Sundrop', 'Talent Orange', var. leucolaena
- Tags:
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-
Attributes:
- Genus:
- Gazania
- Species:
- rigens
- Family:
- Asteraceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Seed
- Stem Cutting
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Coastal areas of southern Africa
- Distribution:
- Naturalized in Mediterranean areas, New Zealand and Australia
- Dimensions:
- Height: 0 ft. 6 in. - 1 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 0 ft. 6 in. - 1 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Annual
- Habit/Form:
- Cascading
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Medium
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Soil Texture:
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Alkaline (>8.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b, 11a, 11b
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Orange
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Head
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Long-lasting
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Fall
- Spring
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Saucer
- Flower Petals:
- more than 20 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- 3-6 inches
- Flower Description:
- 3-4 inch solitary daisy-like blooms appear on up to 10-inch stems. They are orange to yellow with a black eye at the base and an orange-brown center disc. Cultivars offer other colors.
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Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Gray/Silver
- Green
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Lanceolate
- Spatulate
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Lobed
- Hairs Present:
- Yes
- Leaf Length:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Basal leaves are 1.5- 4.5 inches long and can be long and narrow or deeply divided like dandelion leaves. They are green on the upper surface and whitish with hairs on the lower surface.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Green
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Description:
- Trailing stems
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Coastal
- Container
- Hanging Baskets
- Patio
- Slope/Bank
- Walkways
- Landscape Theme:
- Cottage Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Mass Planting
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Drought