Gazanias Drought Coastal Gardens

Gazanias Ideal Plants for Dry Climate Gardens

Gazanias are a South African perennial daisy variety with slender long lobed leaves, which forms a ground cover in hot and dry places. This perennial has the ability to cope with drought conditions and coastal conditions and can be easily grown in Australia even in poor low fertility soils. The grey green lance shaped foliage does have lighter undersides which is proof of the high drought tolerance of this daisy-like flower plant. There are different varieties available with a single layer of petals as well as with double layers of petals. Once established, this plant requires the least watering, maintenance and care. They will establish very fast and are the best option to prevent weed growths. The plants grow to a height of about 10 inches and form clumps with an average width of 12 inches. Gazania produces flowers in an endless colour range from large solid colours to vertical strips of white, yellow, orange or pink on some petals. There are so many different lively colourful variations in gazanias when they do flower from late spring. Flowering continues till the end of summer and they are every bit as tough as osteospermum cape daisies.

Gazania Double Gold

This is one of the best varieties to form landscapes and grows well in tough conditions like roadsides, roundabouts, rockeries and other places where they are exposed to heat and cold conditions. This variety of Gazania is sterile and hence you don’t have to worry about spreading the plant into other areas by dispersal of seeds. It is ideal to be grown in containers, pots and in areas with problem soil and in arid like conditions. Though they are resistant to drought, the size of the flower improves when the plant is watered.

Growing Gazanias

If you are using the seeds to grow Gazanias, you can either plant them directly on the ground or you can make them germinate in containers when the frost disparages. You can start the seeds indoors if you want to get the earliest blooms. You can propagate Gazanias from the basal cuttings. Cuttings do have to be taken during the autumn and have to be kept indoors or in a hot-house to avoid freezing temperatures. Plant the cuttings of the plant in potting soil in pots, and plant the rooted plants on the ground in spring. Make sure that each plant is 24-30 inches apart. Water the plants till they get established, then you need to water the plants just once in two weeks.

Use in the dry garden

This plant is used as a bedding plant or as ground cover in dry climate zones. It is suitable to use in a rock garden as it requires very less amount of water. It is tolerant of pollution, hence can be used for growing on roadsides where smoke and heat is more. It can be grown in areas experiencing drying winds, salt spray and light frost. They will even put up with soils that have low fertility. You can expect spot flowering throughout the year when planted in full sun. Mulching improves growth and flowering.

Maintenance

This plant is usually maintenance free and is usually free from diseases and pest attacks. Remove dead or faded blossoms to encourage the formation of additional flowers throughout the flowering season. You can feed the Gazania plants with water soluble NPK fertiliser once in two months in summer, spring and autumn. Avoid accumulation of water around the plants to prevent rotting of the roots. If you are looking for flowers that will add a dash of colour to your garden throughout the year, then you can go for the common Multi coloured Gazanias or Gazania double gold that will offer you bright yellow double flowers.