Osteospermum 'Lady Leitrim'

About this cultivar:

Osteospermum 'Lady Leitrim' is an older cultivar that tends to have whiter flowers than 'Langtrees'. Hints of blue also... the flowers tend to open and close more on this one depending on the light.

• Position: Full sun, partial shade
• Soil: Almost any soil, grows well in Ballyrobert
• Flowers: June, July, August, September, October
• Other features: Bees and Butterflies, Royal Horticultural Society Award of Garden Merit (RHS AGM)
• Hardiness: Fully hardy, grows well in Ballyrobert
• Habit: Clump forming, mat forming
• Foliage: Semi evergreen
• Height: 15 - 25 cm (0.5 - 0.8 ft)
• Spread: 30 - 60 cm (1 - 2 ft)
• Time to full growth: 2 to 5 years
• Plant type: Herbaceous Perennial
• Colour: Green, pink, white
• Goes well with: --

About this genus:

Osteospermum belongs to the daisy family(Asteraceae) . The plant originates from South Africa and is therefore also known under the common name 'African Daisy'. The word Osteospermum comes from Greek 'osteon' (bone) and Latin 'spermum' (seed): bone seed.

Usually they have the typical 'daisy' flower, however some cultivars have spooned petals. Many species flower a second time late summer, stimulated by the cooler night temperatures.

Osteospermum are popular in cultivation. Numerous hybrids and cultivars have been grown with a wide range of colours, particularly the cut-flower hybirds - some of which are particularity awful! In fact, some cut flowers sometimes look artificial....

These plants prefer a warm and sunny position and rich soil, although they tolerate poor soil, salt or drought well. Modern cultivars flower continuously and dead-heading is not necessary, because they do not set seed easily. The cultivars we have on offer have done well in our wet -clay garden in Ballyrobert, but we do try and grow them in as dry and as sunny an area as possible.

Try them with other daisies such as Asters. We like them with Centaurea and/or Allium! We think in a wall, beside a path, or the front of the border is best.