Gazania Sunshine Mixed Colors – BP

Description

Gazania is a vibrant, low-growing perennial (often treated as an annual in cooler regions) native to South Africa. It produces striking daisy-like blooms in bright shades—yellow, orange, red, pink, and bicolours—against attractive basal foliage. Ideal for hot, dry areas, it thrives as edging, groundcover, and in containers. Its blooms open in full sun and close at night or under cloud cover. Highly heat- and drought-tolerant, it blooms from spring through fall and is easy to maintain.

When to Plant in the UAE

• Direct Sowing: Sow seeds directly outdoors in October, when summer heat eases yet remains warm enough (≈25–35 °C) for strong germination and growth.

• Indoor Sowing (Optional): You can start seeds indoors 6–8 weeks earlier (e.g., July–August) and transplant outdoors in September.

Planting & Care Tips

• Sunlight: Needs full sun (6–8 hours/day) to bloom properly; shade can make the plants lanky or inhibit blooming.

• Soil: Prefers sandy, well-draining soil; does well in poor, dry soils, including sandy or rocky areas.

• Sowing:

  • Depth: Sow seeds shallowly (~¼ inch / 0.6 cm deep).

  • Germination: 7–21 days, keeping soil moist but not soggy.

  • Spacing: Thin or plant seedlings 30 cm apart to allow airflow and branching.

  • Watering: Water sparingly once established, letting soil dry between waterings; gazanias are highly drought tolerant.

• Fertilizer: Generally not needed; overly rich soil can reduce flowering. A light compost top dressing in spring is sufficient.

• Deadheading: Remove spent blooms to prolong blooming.

• Height & Habit: Typically 15–30 cm tall and wide, spreads as groundcover or trailing in containers.

• Resistance: Extremely heat- and drought-resistant; few pest or disease issues in dry climates.