Seeds 10 g

Dimorphotheca, the Cape Marigold or Star of the Veldt, is a sun-worshipping daisy from South Africa's Namaqualand. Its large blooms, about 5 to 8 cm across, come in glowing white, yellow, orange and salmon shades with a satin sheen that catches the light. The flowers track the sun and close in the evening or on dull days, making them a lively, ground-hugging carpet for borders, rockeries and pots. Adapted to dry, sandy country, it shrugs off drought and even coastal salt, rewarding the lightest care with months of colour.

Planting

In Egypt, grow it as a cool-season winter annual. Sow directly from mid-September through November, while autumn soil sits near 16 to 21 C. Scatter seed in full sun on light, very well-drained ground and barely cover it, raking lightly so it is not washed or blown away. Keep the seedbed evenly moist; seedlings appear in roughly one to two weeks. Thin or prick out plants once they reach about 5 cm, spacing them 15 to 30 cm apart.

Fertilizing

Feed sparingly. Mix a little balanced all-purpose fertilizer into the soil at planting and stop there. This daisy thrives in poor, sandy ground, and rich or high-nitrogen feeding only pushes leafy growth at the expense of flowers.

Care

Water young plants until they reach about 10 cm, then give only moderate water, letting the soil dry between drinks. Water in the morning and keep foliage dry to avoid downy mildew, gray mould and crown rot, especially in the humid Delta and Alexandria. Watch for aphids, ensure full sun and sharp drainage, and deadhead spent blooms to extend flowering from December into early spring.