The Gazania is native of South Africa and is sometimes known as the Treasure Flower. They are half-hardy perennials but seldom survive a British winter and are best grown as annuals. They make useful summer bedding plants or they can be grown in patio containers or hanging baskets. Wherever you plant them, they will provide a superb splash of colour on sunny days.

Gazanias have a daisy-like flower and come in lots of brilliant colours, pinks, yellows, oranges and reds, and often a mixture of these and sometimes have a metallic sheen. The vivid flowers close up on an afternoon and remain shut until the following morning. If the weather is overcast, they do not open at all. The leaves are lobed, dark green, and grow in compact clumps. Each clump supports a number of flowers.

Growing Requirements

Soil
Water freely when in growth but keep plants just moist in winter outdoors. They like sandy well-drained soil in full sun and will tolerate coastal conditions. Deadhead to prolong the flowering period.

Size
Gazanias will grow to a height of around 10 in (25cm) and spread about 13in (33cm). The flowers can reach a diameter of 10cm and bloom from June until the end of September.

Propagation
Treasure flowers are very easy to grow and are normally grown from seed in a loam-based compost with added sharp sand, under glass, in late winter or early spring at 18 to 20°C although they can be grown from basal cuttings.

Family: Asteraceae
Genus: Gazania