Osteospermum Tradewinds Trailing Deep Purple - Cape Daisy

Osteospermum Deep Purple is part of a new generation of particularly colourful, well-branched and floriferous Cape Daisies. Formerly known as Dimorphoteca or Rain Daisy, this not very hardy perennial, sun-loving, blooms for a long period, even in very hot weather. Its flowers resemble large daisies formed by a row of purple petals surrounding a dark violet centre dusted with gold. They close up if there is insufficient light. This plant, often grown as an annual, tolerates heat, sea spray, drought, and poor soils very well.

Mainly native to South Africa, Osteospermum are perennial or annual plants very similar to dimorphotecas and belonging, like them, to the large Asteraceae family. Most of the osteospermums grown in gardens are hybrids of uncertain origin. They are generally very robust plants, useful for ornamental purposes in dry soils. Their preferred region in South Africa corresponds to the Atlantic facade, which has a Mediterranean-type climate.

The 'Deep Purple' variety comes from the species Osteospermum ecklonis, a perennial plant with a woody stump. This selection is distinguished by its floriferousness and ramified habit, ideal for container cultivation. Its flowering takes place from April to October, depending on the cultivation method and climate. The plant, reaching adulthood in a few months, will extend about 30 to 35 cm (12 to 14in) in all directions, forming a truly generously flowering bouquet. Its flowers are quite large compared to the size of the plant. They are of an intense purple and are carried on ramified stems emerging from a fairly tough, dentate foliage of medium green. 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 (19.4°F)) and the soil is well-drained, even dry.

Osteospermums have become indispensable, given their willingness to cover dry slopes in open ground, or terraces and balconies exposed to heat, with a blanket of flowers. They can be associated in a dry garden with catmints, shrubby salvias, verbenas, lantanas or immortelles, for example. They will highlight borders and flower rockeries. They form remarkable ground cover in a mix of colours. In pots they can be combined with bidens or Erigeron karvinskianus, for example.

Young plants measuring 4 to 8 cm (2 to 3in) in 5 small 2.8 cm (1in) diameter, 4 cm (2in) high plug plants. Our plants are at least eight weeks old and strong enough to be planted in open ground.

Note: Please be aware that our young plug plants are professional products intended for experienced gardeners: upon receipt, transplant and store them under cover (veranda, greenhouse, cold frame) at a temperature above 14°C (57.2°F) for a few weeks before planting them outside once the risk of frost has definitively passed.