Annuals & Biennials

Dimorphotheca
Cape marigold, star of the veldt

- Height 1/2-11/2 ft (15-45 cm)
- Planting distance 1-11/2 ft (30-45 cm)
- Flowers early summer to early fall
- Light, well-drained soil
- Sunny site
- Perennial grown as tender annual

In its native South Africa, star of the veldt grows rapidly and flowers quickly so it can produce its seeds before the dry season sets in. Fortunately, in cooler climates, it lasts longer, producing hundreds of elegant daisylike flowers from early summer until early fall. These are brilliant orange, with dark brown eyes, and are carried on 1-11/2 ft (30-45 cm) high stems with narrowly oblong midgreen leaves. The genus has been reclassified as Osteospermum, and seed catalogs may list stars of the veldt under either name. Their popularity has risen steadily due to their long flowering season and the brightness of their daisy flowers, sometimes with yellow, some times with purple centers. They look magnificent grown in groups in borders and beds, and the dwarf cultivars are suitable for sunny rock gardens and for patio containers. The most popular species, Dimorphotheca (Osteospermum) sinuata, is a perennial, but it is invariably grown as a tender annual. It will, however, often survive winters outdoors in mild districts if set in a protected spot.

Popular species and cultivars
Several cultivars have been developed from Dimorphotheca sinuata, offering a range of colors and sizes. The following are readily available.
'Giant Mixed' grows 1 ft (30 cm) high and produces plants with a profusion of flowers in pastel shades - creamy white, orange, and salmon.
'Glistening White' bears silvery and pure white flowers. It grows 6-9 in (15-23 cm)
'Salmon Queen' grows up to 1 ft (30 cm) tall, with large, 21/2-in (6-cm) wide blossoms in pastel shades of salmon and apricot. Set these branching plants 11/2 ft (45 cm) apart.
'Starshine' bears 2-3 ft (5-7.5 cm) wide, glistening flowers in pink, rose, carmine, or white, all with yellow centers. The plants grow to 11/2 ft (45 cm) high and almost as much across.
'Tetra Pole Star,' up to 15-18 in (38-45 cm) high, has shiny, 3-in (7.5 cm) wide silvery flowers with bright violet veins.

Annuals
and
Biennials