Osteospermum Voltage Yellow - Cape Daisy

Osteospermum 'Voltage Yellow', formerly known as Dimorphoteca, is part of a new generation of particularly floriferous hybrids, with a flexible and spreading habit, low and branching vegetation, absolutely perfect for summer compositions. This non-hardy perennial, sun-loving, forms flowers that resemble small bright yellow daisies, with a small golden yellow centre. They close up if the light is insufficient. 'Voltage Yellow' is a new variety with exceptional flowering, produced continuously throughout the summer. This plant, often grown as an annual, tolerates heat, sea spray, drought, and poor soils well.

Mainly native to South Africa, Osteospermum, sometimes called African Daisy, are perennial or annual plants very similar to dimorphotecas, and belonging like them to the Asteraceae family. Most osteospermums grown in gardens are hybrids between three species, with more or less uncertain origins. They are generally very robust plants, useful for ornamental purposes in dry soils. Their preferred region in South Africa corresponds to the Atlantic coast, which has a Mediterranean climate.

'Voltage Yellow' 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, reaching maturity in a few months, will reach about 30 cm (12in) in height and 50 to 70 cm (20 to 28in) in diameter, forming a generous cushion of flowers. Its flowers are single, medium-sized, consisting of a peripheral collar of ligulate flowers of a very bright yellow, surrounding a small heart of darker yellow sterile florets. They are borne on flexible and branching stems emerging from shiny green and toothed 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 (19.4°F)) and the soil is well-drained.

A true ray of sunshine for the garden or balcony! Osteospermums have become indispensable given their willingness to cover dry slopes in open ground, or terraces and balconies scorched by heat, with a blanket of flowers. They can be associated in a dry garden with catmints, shrubby salvias, verbenas, lantanas, or immortelles. They will highlight borders and embellish rockeries. They form remarkable ground cover in a mix of colors. In pots they can be combined with bidens or Erigeron karvinskianus, for example.

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

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