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Gazania Gazania rigens

Other Common Name(s):

Phonetic Spelling
gah-ZAY-nee-ah RIG-ens
Description

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:
  • '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 Garden Sun', 'Golden Margarita', 'New Day Tiger Mix', 'Sundrop', 'Talent Orange', var. leucolaena
Tags:
#full sun tolerant#drought tolerant#bronze#red-orange#pink flowers#fall interest#hanging baskets#summer flowers#cream flowers#fantz#poor soils tolerant#container plant#annual#sandy soil
 
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 Garden Sun', 'Golden Margarita', 'New Day Tiger Mix', 'Sundrop', 'Talent Orange', var. leucolaena
Tags:
#full sun tolerant#drought tolerant#bronze#red-orange#pink flowers#fall interest#hanging baskets#summer flowers#cream flowers#fantz#poor soils tolerant#container plant#annual#sandy soil
  • 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.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Annual
    Habit/Form:
    Cascading
    Growth Rate:
    Medium
    Maintenance:
    Low
    Texture:
    Medium
  • 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
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Green
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Description:
    Trailing stems
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Coastal
    Container
    Hanging Baskets
    Patio
    Slope/Bank
    Walkways
    Landscape Theme:
    Cottage Garden
    Design Feature:
    Border
    Mass Planting
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Drought