The pink-purple flowers and cone-like centres give this annual its common name. Great for attracting pollinators, echinacea is also used as a medicinal herb. Growing to more than a metre, it’s fab for a border, along with shorter black eyed Susans.
Care: full sun in well-drained soil. Drought tolerant once established.
2. Blanket flower (Gaillardia aristata)
This short-lived perennial forms a slowly spreading mound of fire, but it self-seeds, so you’ll see it pop up in various shades and combinations of vibrant red, yellow, orange or peach from summer to autumn.
Care: full sun in well-drained soil. Deadhead as flowers fade to spur more blooms.
3.Gazania (G. Rigens)
A coastal classic as an aid against erosion, these drought-tolerant, low-spreading perennials grow in most parts of Australia, flowering in spring and summer in white, cream, yellow and red, often with bold, contrasting bands or spots.
Care: full sun in well-drained soil.
4. Seaside daisy (Erigeron karvinskianus)
Tiny and delightfully dainty, the haze of pink or white flowers can start in late winter and last well into summer. It’s a groundcover, but can cover concrete and stone paths and steps as well, as it self-seeds in any nook or cranny it finds.
Care: full sun in well-drained soil. Cut back in autumn.
5. Paper daisy (Rhodanthe chlorocephala)
This annual spring surprise lasts through summer, then as a cut flower for the next couple of years! The small, deep-pink flowers fade to white around the dramatic black and yellow centre.
Care: best in a dry climate, in sun or light shade and well-drained soil. Cut flowers regularly for indoor displays and to promote new blooms.
6. Zinnia (Zinnia elegans)
These little fluffballs pop up in summer through to autumn along borders or in pots. They come in single, semi-double and double blooms and a colour range that will turn your garden psychedelic.
Care: full sun in loamy soils. Deadhead faded flowers to stimulate more blooms. Won’t survive frosts.
7. Black eyed susan (Rudbeckia sp)
With its cheeky and cheery, bold-as-brass blooms from spring through to summer, this dark-centred daisy is a standout in any summer garden. Mass plant it in a mixed border for maximum effect.
Care: full sun in rich, well-drained soil. Deadhead faded flowers to encourage more blooms.
8. African daisy (Osteospermum sp)
When you mix up your daisies in your garden bed, this low-spreading shrub stands out for its amazing colours – pink, purple, yellow, cream and orange – many bicoloured. Drought hardy, it flowers from early spring to late autumn.
Care: full sun in well-drained soil. Deadhead fading flowers to encourage new blooms
9. Easter daisy (Aster sp)
Also known as Michaelmas daisies, these are the stars of an autumn and early winter garden. The perennials produce masses of small flowers in white, lilac, blue, pink and purple.
Care: sun and part shade in well-drained soil. Keep soil moist. Cut back stems when flowers fade in winter.
10. Feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium)
This pretty but short-lived perennial comes in white only with a big button centre, flowering from spring to summer’s end. It self-seeds so you’ll always have new growth.
Care: full sun, part shade in well-drained soil. Drought tolerant.
11. Shasta daisy (Leucanthemum x superbum)
This tough-nut perennial gives a spectacular and profuse summer display of pure white or dreamy creamy flowers. The tall upright clumps create a dramatic backdrop to a border garden bed.
Care: full sun, partial shade in well-drained soil. Drought tolerant.
12. Margeurite daisy (Argyranthemum frutescens)
You can get dense masses of pink, cerise, yellow or classic white flowers in spring, or winter in warmer areas. Its versatility means you can plant it around your pool or in a rockery.
Care: full sun or partial shade in well-drained soil. To spur new blooms, deadhead fading flowers.
13. Cosmos (C. bipinnatus)
The tall flowers of this showy annual float delicately above the fern-like foliage in late summer and autumn. The colours range from pretty pink to lipstick red to bold gold and pure white. One for those who love drama!
Care: full sun in well-drained, moist soil. Doesn’t like frosts, but survives neglect.
For you to note:
Many daisies close up their petals at night and open again in the morning. Hence their name from the old English words ‘daes eage’, which means day’s eye.
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