Osteospermum - heat-loving plant.The genus contains more than seventy species such as perennial and annual shrubs and dwarf shrubs.It comes from South Africa.
Appearance
lush and tall shrub catches the eye from early June to late October.Depending on the variety, Osteospermum are very different colors: blue, dark blue, pink, white.One drawback - the bright green leaves and unpleasant smell specifically if they break off.Biological osteopermuma Description: perennial shrub, as well as a shrub up to a meter in height, consisting closely related to annual dimorfotekoy.It differs from other plants of the family Asteraceae.If, for example, chamomile blossoms have a reed that guide insects to the tubular flowers for pollination and seed formation, there is not so: tubular flowers are sterile, and seeds are formed in the reed - here is this Osteospermum.Photo shows a rather large seeds, like a belt on the middle, barren flower.
Species Osteospermum
Osteospermum ecklonis
Eklonis or Osteospermum Eklona, the most widely used.The people called the cape daisy.Perennial shrub up to a meter is very heat-loving, and in regions with cold winters used as Letnik.Most fancy hybrids cape daisy: Volta, lilac-pink petals which gradually turn white, bambi - white petals acquire a purple color, Congo - a pink-purple petals, Buttermilk - pale yellow, Zulu - bright yellow, cream Symphony - lemonwith a narrow purple stripe Silver Sparkler - white flowers and mottled leaves Sky and ice - blue and white.It's high bushes.Much more in demand stunted bushes for containers - up to 30 centimeters, compact.This, for example, Passion - with shiny pink petals of different colors with a bright blue midway.Also of interest to gardeners Osteospermum, tends to spoon having the shape of petals.It is a pink lace and Gnome Salmon.Also beautiful white, purple, red, yellow, orange color varieties Springstar, Cap Daisy, Sunny, which thrives at an altitude of just 25-60 centimeters.
Osteospermum jucundum
extremely showy this Osteospermum.Growth, however, is somewhat difficult special properties inherent in the plant.This species, called Osteospermum pleasant - evergreen, but slabozimostoyky shrub that is suitable only for regions with warm climates.The petals in bloom change their color from white to purple, and the reverse side of the purple.BREEDER withdrawn wonderful varieties: Lady Leytrim - 30 centimeters in height, white with pink flowers otmetinkami, Buttermilk - pale yellow petals, bronze-colored from the inside, Sparkler - white and blue from the inside onto the large leaves with a golden border.
Osteospermum: growing
low-growing plants are ideal for containers and window boxes.Osteospermum grows well, he branched, creeping shoots can be used as ground cover.Well propagated and seeds, which are sown in a light substrate, adding sand.Seedlings suffer because of the injury to the roots, so it is better to sow in individual cups or peat pots.The boxes should be sown at a great distance, and transferred to a garden carefully, along with a clod of earth on the roots.Sowing - in the last week of March or the first - in April.Shoots emerge quickly.Seedling needs a bright light and rather mild temperatures, moisture, too moderate.In tall varieties better pinch the tops of the seedlings so thick bushes Osteospermum.Growing seedlings method gives a positive effect: later in the flower garden shrub more abundant and long blooming.Pests and diseases are not seen.
Osteospermum: growing in favorable conditions
This flower is light and heat-loving.It is necessary to protect the place where it grows, the cold wind, but there is sure to be sunny or at least partial shade.His beautiful flowers are fully disclosed only in bright light.The soil is the best light, drained and fertile.The distance between the plants - about twenty-five centimeters.Seedlings should be tempered, and after transferring to the garden while showering.It becomes established plants and drought-resistant and resistant to cold.Feeding promotes both widening and increasing the number of buds.Remove the faded inflorescences better.Osteospermum liquor stored all winter in a bright, cool place, from time to time moisten the soil.
