When this colorful annual blooms in summertime , the flowers near cover the total plant .
With its soft - textured foliage and dainty blossoms , theswan river daisy(Brachyscome iberidifolia ) makes a colored addition to the garden . Depending on the location , swan river daisies , hardy in Zones 8 - 11 , can begrown as yearly or perennial . When they bloom in summer , the fertile flowers spread over the whole flora in prime , almost hiding the gentle , feathery gray - green leafage . Although most mintage types and former form have single blossom , some hybrid flora feature double bloom , while others have a mellisonant fragrance .
Where to Plant Swan River Daisy
For the best result , plant swan river daisies in full sun . This guarantee the plant produce the most bloom potential on dense plants . Although they favour rich , moist , well - run out territory , they can accommodate to sandy and clay soils , particularly if they are amended with compost .
Opt for swan river daisy when planting container because they ’ll cascade down over the sides ; they also act well at the front of bed and as attractive border plant , forming blue mats of color along a walkway .
How and When to Plant Swan River Daisy
Plant swan river daisies in spring just after the last frost date . Whether you grow this daisy from nursery plant , stem cuttings , or seeds sown indoors in the winter , engraft them is similar . When plant in containers , use a planting medium ofpotting soil with vermiculite . In the garden , they choose a location with well - draining garden soil . Dig jam just declamatory enough for the stem ball and spaced 6 - 9 column inch asunder . Remove the plant from their pots and set one in each hole , firming the soil around it with your workforce . Water the plants .
In areas with mild temperatures , seed the seeds in spring directly into a disposed garden layer and cover them thinly with dirt . Wait until after the last anticipated hoar . As they grow , thin them to 6 - 9 inches aside . Swan river daisies planted in this manner tend to bring about more robust seedlings than ones started indoors .
Swan River Daisy Care Tips
These Australian natives are wanton to care for , whether planted as yearly or perennials .
Light
uprise swan river daisies in full Lord’s Day . If grown in too much tint , they can become floppy and not flower as much .
Soil and Water
Swan river daisies are tough plants and are tolerant of a wide-cut miscellany of soil condition . Their idealistic growing conditions admit moist , organically rich , well - drained dirt . However , they adapt to rugged situations , farm in sandy or clay grease and even rocky outcroppings . Soil pH should be between 6.0 and 8.0 . Amend the soil with of age compost to create this surround .
They ’re drouth patient of but require superfluous water when the conditions is hot and dry . If they ’re maturate in sandy soil , water more frequently , allowing the stain to dry between waterings .
Temperature and Humidity
Swan river daisy do better in nerveless summer climate ; in area with red-hot and humid summers , they may slacken down , wilt , or cease blooming altogether . They do best in temperatures between 50ºF and 75ºF.
Fertilizer
Pruning
When the passion of summer begins , swan river daisy will profit from a shearing back to about half their original sizing . This helps reinvigorate the plant and advance bushy unexampled growth . Shearing also helps work up the groundwork for plenty of fall blooms once the temperature begin to cool off off again .
Keep them deadheaded throughout the uprise season to further uninterrupted flower .
Potting and Repotting Swan River Daisy
Swan river daisies do well as container plants . Use terra - cotta pot with drainage holes and potting soil with vermiculite . locate them in a sunny spot , whether indoors or outdoors . Deadhead potted swan river daisies to keep young blooms coming .
Most swan river daisy are mature as yearly , but in affectionate areas , they can be produce in containers as perennials . They do n’t postulate to be repot each year if they receive the forethought they need . However , if the plant ’s blossom production drops off or you want to move it to a unlike , more decorative container , repot it in a similar size container using fresh pot medium .
Pests and Problems
Swan river daisy are susceptible topowdery mildew , a common foliar fungous disease . Full sunlight can help keep it away . Overwatering may result in root rot .
Besides slugs or escargot , swan river daisies have few problems with pestis . Use aslug deterrentto keep them from chew on your plant ’s leaves .
How to Propagate Swan River Daisy
Propagate swan river daisy by cutting shoots from live plants before they begin blossom . verify there ’s at least one node and two leaves on eachstem cutting . Remove any leafage from the bottom half of the slip and dip it in rooting hormone . Place the slip in moist soilless potting premix for 15 mean solar day , keeping it moist throughout , and then test whether it has rooted by mildly tugging on a leaf . Resistance indicates the cut has root . Wait until the cutting displays robust unexampled growth before transplanting it into a large container or the garden .
Swan river daisy can also begrown from dried seedscollected from fading efflorescence . Keep the seeds in a sinister , dry stead until you are quick to establish . When originate from seed for the garden or a container , sow the seed indoors six weeks before the last spring icing , using a dampish seminal fluid - starting mix in peat pots . Cover the seeds lightly . Place clear charge card base over each pot and put them in a warm , bright spot . Remove the plastic bag every two or three days to ensure that the medium remains moist . When you see emergence , dispatch the plastic pocketbook for good . The seeds burgeon forth quickly , and after a point of hardening off , they are quick to set out in the garden when the weather condition warm up .
Types of Swan River Daisy
‘Blue Zephyr’ Swan River Daisy
Brachyscome iberidifolia’Blue Zephyr ' offer grim daisies with a pleasant scent on airy leaf . These beauties are a favored option for hang basket and container . Zones 9 - 11
‘Purple Splendor’ Swan River Daisy
Brachyscome iberidifolia’Purple Splendor ' blooms profusely with 1 - column inch purple daisies with yellow and inglorious centers above a minuscule ferny cumulation . These softly fragrant flowers cover the foliation , particularly in temperate summer arena . It grows as an annual except in Zones 9 - 11 , where it can be grown as a perennial .
‘Blue Star’ Swan River Daisy
Brachyscome iberidifolia’Blue Star ' produces stunning robin ’s egg puritanic blooms with white emphasis and yellow-bellied centers . This easily - go plus to the garden is low - maintenance and a welcome accession to borders and containers . zone 9 - 11
Swan River Daisy Companion Plants
Gazania
A perennial in raging climates , gazania is grown as an yearly elsewhere . This tough plantproduces bold - color , daisylike flowersfrom summertime to ice in most develop region . The flowers look over jagged moody green or silver leafage ( the foliation color disagree between varieties ) . They ’re glossy specimen in beds and mete and container , too . Zones 4 - 10
Geranium
Geraniums are agardener ’s favorite . The old - fashioned criterion for bed , borders , and containers , geranium is still one of the most democratic plants today . Traditional bedding type love live weather and hold up well to dry conditions ; many put up colourful foliage . Though most geranium are grown as annuals , they are perennial in warmer climates . Zones 10 - 11
Lisianthus
Lisianthus flowersmake people ooh and ahh . Some form of this yearly look like a blue pink wine . Lisianthus is one of the best trimmed flowers — it will last in the vase for 2 to 3 weeks . Lisianthus can be challenge to grow — especially from seed — so start out with plant seedlings . Zones 8 - 10
Frequently Asked Questions
Swan river daisies come in a variety of shades of lavender , blue , violet , jaundiced , and bloodless . All colouration typically have a hopeful chickenhearted disk in the center , giving the plant life atraditional daisy flavour .
Swan river daisy draw bees , butterflies , hummingbirds and other good wildlife to your garden . As a incentive , deer and cony are n’t interested in munch on these plant .
Credit: Dean Schoeppner
Credit: Dean Schoeppner
Credit: Scott Little
Credit: Andrew Drake
Credit: John Reed
