Gazania Flowers

Gazania Flowers, the celebrated Treasure Flower, dazzle with large, daisy-like blooms in vivid stripes and warm jewel tones above silvery-green foliage. The petals open wide in sunshine and close at night or under cloud, making each plant a living sundial. Compact at roughly 15-30 cm tall and wide, it is a brilliant choice for sunny borders, rockeries, edging and containers, thriving exactly where hot, dry conditions defeat other flowers.

Planting

Direct-sow outdoors 2-4 weeks after the last frost once soil has warmed, or start indoors about 8 weeks earlier for earlier colour. Set seeds around 6 mm deep in well-prepared, well-drained soil and keep it consistently moist. Germination takes 14-21 days at a soil temperature of 15-18 degrees Celsius. Space plants about 30 cm apart in full sun with 6 or more hours of direct light, choosing a sheltered south- or west-facing spot.

Fertilizing

Grow in moderately fertile, well-drained soil and apply a balanced slow-release fertiliser in early spring. Avoid over-feeding, which encourages lush leaves but fewer flowers. Feed container plants fortnightly with a potash-rich fertiliser.

Care

Let the soil dry between waterings, as Gazania is drought-tolerant once established and prone to root rot if overwatered. Thin each seedling group to one healthy plant once they reach about 5 cm, and harden off two weeks before transplanting. Generally pest-free, though watch for aphids and mealybugs; good drainage and air circulation guard against root rot, grey mould and powdery mildew. Blooms appear about 12 weeks after sowing, lasting spring through summer.