Often referred to as the flower of innocence and new beginnings, you’ll find beautiful daisies all over the world. But nothing beats the native Australians, especially paper daisies or chamomile sunray (Rhodanthe sp).
Paper daisies get their name from their papery petals with a bright yellow centre that bloom from spring to early summer. While they’re most well-known for their white petals, they also come in a range of other colours, including shades of pink, red and yellow.
They look beautiful in garden beds, planter pots, and bouquets, and they are a great choice for dried arrangements because they retain their brilliantly rich colours and seem to last forever.
In New South Wales, we have one of the largest paper daisy displays in all of eastern Australia, and it’s just reopened to the public after months of hard work.
There’s nothing more gorgeous than strolling along a field of stunning paper daisies and this location is one of the few places visitors can go to enjoy mass plantings of flowers on the east coast.
Where: Connections Garden, Australia Botanic Garden Mount Annan
When: Sunday 1 September – Monday 7 October, 2024. The display is best seen from the middle of September, when Spring is in full swing.
Open times: 8am – 5pm
Price: Free admission
Activities: Flora photography workshop with Glenn Smith
Visit:
If you’re inspired to incorporate these beauties into your own garden, we’ve got everything you need to know from how to plant them, to how to care for them.
How to plant paper daisies
Plant paper daisies in August to ensure they’re ready for full bloom in Spring. They can grow in a pot or over a large patch for your own crackling wildflower garden that can last through to the end of summer. To ensure they thrive, have well-drained soil and plant them in a spot of the garden that receives plenty of sunlight.
How to grow paper daisies
Widespread on the east coast, the paper daisy grows naturally in rocky or sandy soil on the sides of mountains. Rose-pink buds form during winter and stay dormant until spring or early summer. Ideal for a cottage or coastal garden, it’s also pretty poolside.
How to care for paper daisies
1. Aspect
Full sun.
2. Climate
Sub-tropical, warm or cool temperate, Mediterranean.
3. Form
Small shrub, 30-50cm tall.
4. Soil
Well-drained sandy loam, loam, clay loam, potting mix.
5. Water
Daily watering if in pots and in hot, dry periods. Otherwise once a week during spring/summer.
6. Food
Feed in spring, after deadheading and in autumn.
Can you grow paper daisies indoors?
While it’s best to grow them outdoors, they can be grown indoors with the right conditions.
Are paper daisies native to Australia?
Paper daisies are native to Australia.
Do paper daisies come back every year?
No, paper daisies are annuals which means they complete one lifecycle from being planted to blooming, and after one growing season, they will die.
How big do paper daisies get?
On average, paper daisies can grow to between 10cm – 30cm but can reach up to 50cm.
