Osteospermum Summersmile Cream

The Osteospermum (or oesteospernum) 'Summersmile Cream', formerly known as Dimorphoteca, is a somewhat tender perennial that produces a profusion of flowers resembling small white daisies, with a small golden yellow centre. They close up if there is insufficient light and bloom continuously from spring to autumn. Sun-loving and remarkably floriferous, this variety is part of a new generation of low-growing, well-branched plants that are magnificent in summer compositions.  This plant, often grown as an annual, tolerates heat, sea spray, drought, and poor soils.

Mainly originating from South Africa, Osteospermum, sometimes called African Daisy, are perennial or annual plants closely related to Dimorphothecas, and belong, like them, to the Asteraceae family. Most osteospermums cultivated in gardens are hybrids between three species, with origins more or less uncertain. They are generally very robust plants, useful for ornamenting dry soils. Their preferred region in South Africa corresponds to the Atlantic facade, that is, the one with a Mediterranean-type climate.

The 'Summersmile Cream' variety is a recent award-winning variety in the United States. Its early and long flowering period occurs from May to October, depending on the cultivation method and climate. The plant, mature in a few months, will reach about 30 cm (11.8 in) in height and 50 to 70 cm (27.6 in) in diameter, forming a wide and generously flowering cushion. Its flowers are single, medium-sized, consisting of a peripheral collar of ligulate flowers of immaculate white, surrounding a small heart of sterile florets in golden yellow. They are carried by flexible and branched stems emerging from a shiny green, dentate foliage. Usually grown as an annual in temperate climates, the plant can regrow from the stump in spring if the winter is not too cold (maximum hardiness -7°C) and the soil is well-drained.

A true ray of sunshine for the garden or balcony! Osteospermums have become indispensable, as they willingly cover dry slopes in open ground or terraces and balconies exposed to heat with a flowery mantle. They can be associated in a dry garden with catmints, Asclepias tuberosa, shrubby salvias, verbenas, lantanas, or everlastings. They will highlight borders and flower rockeries. In mixed colours, they form remarkable ground covers. In flower pots, they can be combined with bidens, nemesias, or with Erigeron karvinskianus, for example.

Green plants from 4 to 8cm (3.1 in) in cases of 5 small plugs measuring 2.8 cm (0.8 in) in diameter and 4 cm (1.6 in) in height. Our plants are at least eight weeks old and strong enough to be planted in open ground. 


 

Note: Attention, our young plants in small plugs are professional products reserved for experienced gardeners : upon receipt, transplant and store them under shelter (veranda, greenhouse, cold frame...) at a temperature above 14°C for a few weeks before being planted outdoors once all risk of frost has passed.