Argyranthemum Seeds

The Marguerite or Paris daisy (Argyranthemum frutescens) is a tender perennial shrub from the Canary Islands that forms a rounded, bushy mound around 0.5 to 1 m tall and wide. It is loved for its abundant daisy-like flower heads, up to about 2 cm across, with bright white petals (also pink or yellow forms) circling a cheerful yellow centre. Free-flowering and endlessly charming, it shines in beds, borders and containers as a long-lasting cool-season display.

Planting

Grow in full sun with at least about 6 hours of direct light daily; in hot spells give some shelter from harsh afternoon sun. Use moderately fertile, well-drained soil (loam or sandy types, pH roughly 6.0 to 7.5) enriched with organic matter, and avoid waterlogging. Start seeds indoors about 6 to 8 weeks before transplanting. They need light to sprout, so surface-sow or barely cover them, keeping the surface evenly moist at around 21C; germination takes about 8 to 14 days. Space these shallow-rooted plants roughly 30 to 38 cm apart.

Fertilizing

Work compost or other organic matter into the soil at planting time. During the active growing season, feed with an all-purpose liquid fertilizer once or twice a month, always following the product's label rate.

Care

Keep the soil evenly moist but never soggy; check 2 to 5 cm down and water when dry, watering containers more often. Once established it is fairly drought-tolerant, so avoid overwatering and water at the base to limit fungal disease. Pinch the tips for a compact shape and deadhead spent blooms to prolong flowering, with a light mid-season shear for bushier growth. Watch for aphids, leaf miners, thrips, mites and whiteflies, plus powdery mildew, mould and root rot. Hardy only to about 1 to 5C, it is not frost-hardy.