Osteospermum, otherwise known as the Cape or African daisy, is a brilliant choice for long-lasting, colourful blooms through summer and into autumn. Often used as a front of border plant in milder parts of the country, or annual bedding, osteospermums also make great container plants. There are many colours and named cultivars to choose from and the vibrant daisy flowers attract pollinators.
Many osteospermum are tender or half hardy and are usually treated as annuals or summer bedding plants. But there are some varieties that will come back every year, if planted in the right location and given winter protection.
Hey garden lovers! I’ve been obsessing over these gorgeous African daisies lately, especially the yellow ones with striking purple centers. As a gardening enthusiast, I’m excited to share everything I know about growing these eye-catching beauties in your garden.
What Makes Yellow and Purple Osteospermums So Special?
These flowers are seriously stunning! The contrast between the sunny yellow petals and deep purple centers creates such a dramatic look. I first fell in love with them when I spotted them at my local garden center, and now I can’t imagine my garden without them.
Key Features:
- Daisy-like blooms with unique color combinations
- Flowers measure 2-3 inches across
- Plants grow 12-18 inches tall
- Quick-growing and long-blooming
- Perfect for containers and borders
Popular Yellow-Purple Osteospermum Varieties
Let me share some of my favorite varieties that’ll make your garden pop
- ‘Margarita’: My absolute favorite! Bright yellow 2-3 inch blooms with dark purple centers
- ‘Sideshow Copper Apricot’: Gorgeous apricot-yellow petals with purple centers
- ‘Zion Sun Yellow’: Super prolific bloomer with classic yellow-purple combo
- ‘Yellow Symphony’: Golden yellow petals with deep purple centers, grows to 14 inches
Growing Requirements
Sunlight and Temperature
These beauties love their sunshine! Here’s what they need
- Full sun (6-8 hours daily)
- Best in zones 10-11 as perennials
- Grown as annuals in colder regions
- Can handle light frost but not repeated freezing
Soil and Water Needs
I’ve found these plants aren’t too picky but they do best with
- Well-draining soil
- Slightly acidic pH
- Regular watering (let soil dry between waterings)
- Good air circulation
Planting Tips
When I plant my osteospermums, I follow these steps:
- Wait until after last frost in spring
- Space plants 12-18 inches apart
- Add compost to planting area
- Plant at same depth as nursery container
- Water thoroughly after planting
Care and Maintenance
Fertilizing Schedule
To keep ’em blooming their hearts out:
- Feed every 2-4 weeks during growing season
- Use balanced flower fertilizer
- Reduce feeding during extreme heat
Pruning and Deadheading
Keeping your plants looking fresh is easy:
- Remove spent blooms regularly
- Pinch back leggy growth
- Cut back by 1/3 if plants get too straggly
Common Problems and Solutions
Sometimes things don’t go as planned. Here’s what to watch for:
- Fewer Blooms: Usually means not enough sun or fertilizer
- Leggy Growth: Needs more sunlight or pruning
- Root Rot: Improve drainage and reduce watering
- Pest Issues: Watch for aphids and snails (pick ’em off by hand!)
Design Ideas
I love using these flowers in my garden designs! Here are some cool ways to show them off:
Container Gardens
- Mix with purple verbena
- Pair with silver dusty miller
- Plant in hanging baskets
Garden Beds
- Mass plantings for impact
- Border edges
- Mix with other drought-tolerant plants
Final Tips for Success
After growing these beauties for years, here’s what I’ve learned:
- Don’t overwater – they’re surprisingly drought-tolerant
- Give them plenty of sun for best blooms
- Deadhead regularly to extend flowering
- Plant in groups of 3-5 for best display
- Protect from strong winds
Growing osteospermums with yellow petals and purple centers isn’t rocket science, but these tips will help you get the most out of these stunning flowers. They’re totally worth the effort, and I promise your garden will thank you with months of gorgeous blooms!
Remember, gardening is all about experimenting and having fun. Don’t be afraid to try different combinations and locations until you find what works best in your space. Happy gardening, folks!
Need help with your osteospermums? Drop a comment below – I’d love to help!
How to care for osteospermums
Water new plants regularly until established. After this, osteospermums in borders should be able to cope with less frequent watering. Those growing in containers will need regular watering during hot weather.
Feed weekly through the growing season with a general plant food to encourage continuous flowering.
Some varieties of osteospermum are tender or half-hardy, particularly in cooler areas. These can be grown as annuals or moved indoors in autumn to overwinter. Move pots under cover to a greenhouse. Species that are H3 (hardy down to -5ºC) can be overwintered in mild areas. To overwinter in the border, cut back and lay a mulch around plants to help protect them from the cold.
When to plant osteospermum
Many osteospermum varieties are tender or half hardy, so plant them out after the last frosts, typically between late May and early June, depending on where you live. If growing osteospermum from seed, sow indoors between February and April.
Bright Lights™ Yellow Osteospermum from Proven Winners
FAQ
What does Osteospermum 4d silver look like?
The Osteospermum 4D silver has bright white petals that have an almost silver tint to them. The centers on these flowers are a lavender purple which contrasts nicely against the white petals. The flower heads on this variety are also said to be bushier than other varieties of the African daisy.
Which Osteospermum plants have yellow flowers and purple centers?
Here are some top osteospermum varieties with yellow flowers and vivid purple centers: ‘Margarita’: One of the most popular varieties, with bright yellow 2-3 inch blooms. Grows 12-18 inches tall. ‘Sideshow Copper Apricot’: Apricot-orange 2 inch flowers with dark centers. Grows 12 inches tall.
Which Osteospermum has orange flowers?
Osteospermum ‘Sunny Dark Florence’ bears orange flowers on a 12-inch-tall plant. Zones 9-11 Osteospermum ‘Yellow Symphony’ bears golden-yellow flowers with purple centers on drought-tolerant, 14-inch-tall plants. Zones 9-11 Osteospermum ‘Zion Plum’ is a strong-growing selection with blue-purple flowers in spring and fall. It grows 12 inches tall.
What does Osteospermum look like?
Description: Osteospermum plants have a bushy, spreading growth habit with green to grayish-green, lance-shaped leaves. The flowers resemble daisies and come in various colors, including white, yellow, pink, purple, and blue, often with a darker blue or purple center (hence the name “blue-eyed daisy”).
Do Osteospermum ‘soprano’ flowers bear purple flowers?
Osteospermum ‘Soprano Compact Purple’ bears purple flowers on drought-tolerant, compact plants that grow only 10 inches tall. Zones 9-11 Osteospermum ‘Soprano Vanilla Spoon’ bears white flowers with spoon-shaped petals on drought-tolerant, 2-foot-tall plants.
What colors do Osteospermum flowers come in?
When osteospermums were first introduced, they were available in only a few colors, primarily white and peach. Despite a limited color selection, their bright blue-purple centers made them a popular garden choice. After plant breeders got to work, new hues of flowers started appearing, including pink, purple, and bicolor.