26 varieties of osteospermum with descriptions, planting and care in open ground

Osteospermum is a perennial flower that came to the CIS countries from South Africa. Planting and care are quite simple; the plant is cultivated in open soil in almost any region. The plant belongs to the group of aster flowers. Below are all the features of African chamomile that will help even novice gardeners grow it.

Description and characteristics

Osteospermum is an evergreen plant reaching up to 100 cm in height. The bushes have erect stems, but there are also creeping types. The margin of the leaf blades is unequally serrated. The flowers are like baskets, 5-10 cm in diameter. They come in lilac, pinkish, yellow, white, violet, blue or orange.

The plant differs from its relatives in that its middle tubular inflorescences are sterile, and the seeds are borne by ligulate flowers. The culture is widely used to decorate patios and flower beds, and is grown in tubs and pots. Lush pollen ends only in November. Osteospermum is resistant to hot weather, dry periods, and frost. In mid-latitudes, the crop is grown as an annual flower.

Types of osteospermum

There are about 60 species of osteospermum. Each of them differs in flower color, size, and frost resistance. The planting and care technology is the same.

Ampelny

The ampelous species is the most heat-loving of the aster family. It needs to be covered for the winter and watered occasionally. The culture takes root safely in pots on window sills and hanging flower beds.

Eklona

Plants have straight shoots 0.5 meters high. The basket-shaped inflorescences grow up to 8 cm in diameter, their middle is violet-scarlet, and on the lower part there is a mass of pinkish veins.

Shrubby

The variety is distinguished by creeping shoots covering large areas.The bush grows up to 1 meter. The buds are reed-shaped, painted in a pale lilac or scarlet shade.

Noticeable

The perennial blooms all year round, with ligulate inflorescences of a pinkish-purple tone. The color darkens towards the middle. The shrub grows up to 0.8 meters.

Terry

The variety is a well-leafed shaggy bush of emerald color. The buds are lilac in color with darkening towards the middle. The petals are corrugated, rounded towards the end, oblong.

Akila

The Akila variety is a shrub from 41 to 51 cm. It is widely grown in pots, flower beds, garden beds, and as a decoration for a loggia or balcony. Inflorescences are basket-shaped, brownish-purple in color, placed on short stems. In the middle there is a black-violet color.

Cool

The variety is resistant to frost, the bush grows up to 0.5 meters in height. It is an annual plant bred by dimorphotheca. The panicles are white, deep purple in the middle. The stems and leaves are rich green and strong.

Bamba

Osteospermum Bamba is distinguished by wider inflorescences, unlike other species. When they bloom, the color is white, but over time the shade changes to purple. The bushes grow up to 75 cm tall.

Mix

Osteospermum is grown as an annual plant due to climatic conditions. In warm countries it is a perennial. Buds of various colors: lavender, pinkish, white, yellow. The bush grows compact in size, up to 0.4 meters high.

Passion

This is an annual, low-growing bush that grows up to 45 cm. It is usually grown indoors, but the crop can be kept in vegetable gardens. Flowers of different colors: pinkish, lavender, purple and white.

Buttermill

Shrubs grow up to 0.6 meters tall. The castings are greenish-gray, and the inflorescences are light yellow, darkened towards the middle.

Congo

The buds of osteospermum variety Congo are small, 4 cm in diameter. The flowers are violet-pinkish, and the stem and leaves are bright green. The bush grows up to 0.4 meters tall.

Zulu

This is a popular hybrid that is used to decorate home gardens. It differs from its counterparts in having rich yellow flowers. The plant is similar to calendula. The height of the bush is approximately 0.5 meters.

Volta

The hybrid changes color during development. The petals are initially pinkish with a lilac tone, then become white. The bush grows up to 1 meter tall. The leaves and stem are erect, rich green in color.

Silver sparkler

The plant reaches 0.4 meters in height. The buds are white, there are dots of a light shade on the leaves.

Cannington Roy

Low-growing creeping bush, emerald color. The diameter of the baskets is 8 cm, they contain white corollas and purple tips. Over time, they become purple-pinkish.

Pemba

The buds of the variety grow together into a tube up to the middle, purple in color. The stem and leaves are turquoise in color, small. The bush grows up to 0.5 meters in height.

Lusaka

Inflorescences are ligulate, pale purple in color. The height of the bush is about 75 cm.

Sandy Pink

The bush grows up to 0.4 meters in height. The baskets are pinkish in color, the shape of the petals is like a spoon.

Starry Eyes

The plant reaches 50 cm in height. The lower part of the reed flowers, folded in half lengthwise, is bluish-gray. The top of the inflorescences is white.

Mix of colors

The annual variety is a bush that grows up to 25 cm in height. Inflorescences with a diameter of 5 cm, different tones: lavender, white, cream, pinkish. The leaves are glossy, rich green.

Ballad

The annual grows up to 25 in height, the bush is abundantly covered with lavender and purple basket flowers.Inside there are orange or gray-violet centers. The leaves and stem are rich green in color.

Parple

This is a low-growing variety, the bush reaches 16 cm in height. The buds are up to 6 cm in diameter and densely cover the plant. They are purple in color with an orange center.

Grand Canyon Mix

The shrub grows up to 16 cm in height, strewn with small inflorescences with a diameter of 6 cm. The color of the flowers is white, pinkish, lavender and light yellow.

White

The flowers are white with a dark purple tint in the middle. The height of the bush is about 30 cm, it is usually grown in pots.

Sky and ice

The plant is painted in 2 colors - white and blue, according to its name. The middle of the inflorescence is blue, with whitish petals. The height of the bush is 75 cm, the leaves and stems are emerald green.

Growing and caring for osteospermum

Osteospermum should be planted according to the plan, observing the correct time and place. Caring for the crop is simple; all that is required is timely watering, pest control, fertilizer, and loosening of the soil.

Selecting a location

It is advisable to plant the plant in a loosened area well illuminated by sunlight. It will also take root in the shade, but the pollen will not last long.

Preparing the soil for osteospermum

Before planting, fertilize the soil with humus, sand and turf soil. The components are taken in equal proportions. The soil should be prepared 2-3 days in advance.

Landing

Before planting in a flowerbed, they dig up the soil to a depth of 30-40 cm, improving its structure. The soil will be saturated with oxygen, the plant will take root better.

The distance between bushes should be 25-35 cm when planting medium varieties. Place low-growing plants at a distance of 10-15 cm from each other.Tall species of the Cool type are planted at a distance of 40-50 cm.

The seedling material is transferred with an earthen ball into the holes. The young plants are sprinkled with soil mixture on top. It is made from the following substances: humus, turf and leaf soil, sand in equal proportions. The surface of each recess should be compacted.

Watering osteospermum

Planted seedlings should be watered abundantly immediately; 0.5 buckets of water are taken per 1 bush. Next, irrigate as the soil dries, usually 2-3 times a week. Do not over-moisten the soil, as this can lead to rotting of the root system. Drought is also dangerous, the flower fades, and it will be impossible to revive it. Pour in settled water, since the icy liquid stimulates the folding of the petals.

Topping

Pinch the tops to increase the density of the bush. The procedure is carried out 2-3 times during the life of the bush. Pinch off 5-7 cm of the upper stems using a disinfected pruner. In addition, it is important to remove wilted or dried flowers.

Self-growing osteospermum seedlings at home

Seeds should be sown on seedling material at the end of March or early April. Peat tablets or pots filled with a combination of peat and sand are used. To make seedlings appear faster, it is better to place them in a moistened napkin for 2-3 hours before sowing.

It is necessary to place one seed on the damp surface of the ground with a toothpick and bury it 0.5 cm into the ground. They are placed in a warm place with a temperature of 20-22 degrees Celsius. The first shoots will appear after 7 days, after which they are placed in a well-lit place. If seedlings are planted in a container, they develop 2-3 true leaf blades. Then the picking is carried out.When tall varieties are grown, they are pinched before transplanting in order to obtain abundant flowering in the future.

Soil preparation

The soil in the pot should be loose and moist. Experienced gardeners recommend growing seedlings in peat containers.

Hardening

It is necessary to begin hardening off the seedlings in early May. The window in the room is periodically opened or the seedlings are taken out onto the balcony. For the first days they should be in the fresh air for 15 minutes. Then the period is increased. Before planting, the seedlings stay outside for daylight hours.

Timing for planting osteospermum in open ground

The seedlings are planted in a permanent place after May 25th. The air temperature should warm up to 15-20 degrees Celsius, since the plant is exotic and loves warmth.

Propagation by cuttings

Most osteospermum varieties are propagated only by cuttings. This is the most reliable method that allows you to preserve all the properties of the plant.

When sowing, there is a risk of getting flowers that differ from the desired variety. Petioles are taken from the top of the bush in February. They should be rooted within 1 month. The air temperature in the room should be +20. They are planted in pots.

If you plant the petioles in containers in the fall and hide them indoors for the winter, they can become perennial.

Harmful insects and pathologies

The flower is famous for its high resistance to diseases and harmful beetles, but sometimes they overtake the crop. If it blooms in the shade and is watered abundantly, the immune system weakens. This entails fungal infections. The rhizome rots and the plant dries out. Affected specimens should be treated with fungicides.

Aphids still appear on the leaves, sucking the juices out of them.The plant turns yellow and the leaves fall off. To kill insects they resort to Aktar, Karbofos, Aktellik.

After pollen

When winter comes, annuals die. Perennial plants overwinter in greenhouses and indoors. To preserve the bushes, they are collected in pots along with a lump of earth. When spring comes, they are planted back in the garden.

Tips for successful planting of osteospermum

Experienced gardeners recommend planting osteospermum in a sunny place so that it blooms as abundantly and as long as possible. The culture prefers well-drained, moist soil. These secrets will help you grow it as blooming and healthy as possible.

Reviews

Feedback from gardeners about osteospermum is mostly positive.

Alexey Tulsky, 69 years old, Moscow

Hello! I have been planting osteospermum in the garden for more than 5 years. I gave preference to the Passion and Cool varieties. Pollen is abundant and lasts until the first frost.

Victoria Ivanova, 66 years old, Dnepr

Greetings to all! A neighbor shared Osteospermum Ballad seedlings. I grow flowers in a flowerbed, they decorate the garden with lilac and violet flowers until the first frost.

Maria Vakulova, 58 years old, Zaporozhye

Hi all! They have been growing osteospermum for 4 years; I bought seedlings at the market on the advice of the seller. The White variety grows on the window sills of the dacha in pots.