Description
Form: An herb with a clumping or trailing habit.
Lifespan: Perennial.
Leaf retention: Evergreen.
Growth rate: Rapid.
Mature Size: 1' high and 1-8' wide. Trailing cultivars spread widely.
Flowers: One, or two (double row), dozen rays with pointed tips, in many vivid, seemingly artificial, colors including yellow and orange, 3"-4" diameter. The flowers close at night and on cloudy days.
Bloom: Mid-winter through mid-spring.
Fruit: Seed.
Leaves: Narrow, long to short, leaflets with pointed tips, green to pale green.
Stems: No thorns. Stems of trailing cultivars will root at their nodes where touching the ground.
Roots: Some cultivars are invasive in soft soil.
Wildlife: The foliage attracts rabbits. Not attractive to butterflies.
Toxic / Danger: No.
Origin: Southern Africa.

Cultivation and Uses
USDA hardiness zones: 9b-11. It may die to the ground in freezes and come back from its roots if temperatures stay above 25°F.
Heat tolerant: Yes, however this plant does poorly over 110°F and will look mangy without extra water.
Drought tolerant: Yes.
Sun: Full sun.
Water after becoming established: Weekly in the hottest part of the year, once or twice a month in winter. Allow soil to dry 2" deep between waterings. Do not overwater.
Soil: Very well draining, somewhat dry, best in sandy soil, does poorly in fine or course soils, low organic material, tolerant of a wide pH range but best in neutral pH. Fertilizing is unnecessary. It is prone to fungal diseases in moist soil.
Mulch: Use organic mulch sparingly to shield roots from the sun.
Planting: This plant can be grown in containers.
Prune: Deadhead spent flowers quickly to encourage more blooming.
Litter: Low: die-back in winter freezes and summer heat.
Propagation: Seed, root ball division. These plants are known to reseed.
Uses: Ornamental ground cover, xeric garden, erosion control on gentle banks (trailing gazania cultivars).

Comments
This plant is a member of the Aster family (Asteraceae). Gazania splendens is a synonym. Another common name is Treasure Flower. Many hybrid cultivars exist, and more are being developed every year.

---

Do you have additional information or a different experience for these plants that you would like to share? Email info@GardenOracle.com. All contributions are welcome and appreciated.