Argyranthemum Frutescens

Crazy Daisy, Bush Daisy, Marguerite Daisy, Starlight Red, Summersong White

For quick colour, few plants beat the old-fashioned daisy bush, Argyranthemum frutescens. Every year more hybrids appear, with each one seeming to be more floriferous and more compact than its immediate predecessor, and all with flowers in brilliant colours. They can be massed in mixed flowerbeds as bright filler plants, and they grow just as nicely in pots. Daisy bushes are also good plant companions between roses, not least because they love the same amount of water.

Argyranthemum frutescens ‘Crazy Daisy’ is cultivated especially for pots and containers. It is a compact plant, grows fast and flowers throughout summer. The growth pattern is upright and flowers are either single or double.

Argyranthemum frutescens ‘Starlight Red’ – bears single red flowers with a bright yellow eye. Argyranthemum frutescens ‘Summersong White Improved’ – produces snow-white, double pompon flowers.

When does the Argyranthemum bloom?

Argyranthemums are showiest in spring, but flower repeatedly in summer (and when one variety isn’t flowering, there’s always another variety that is). If you look after your plants well and prune them in midsummer, you can expect another massive flowering phase in autumn.

Most suitable climate for the Argyranthemum

Daisy bushes grow everywhere, but in harsher climates it is best to treat them as once-off, summer colour and replace them every year.

What they need

Location: full sun. Their flowers need to be protected against wind in coastal gardens;

Soil: any soil type is suitable but add a generous amount of compost for the best results;

Water: high water consumption – they don’t like to suffer droughts. During warm weather you need to water the plants every three days. When planting daisy bushes in pots, add water retention granules to the potting soil. They will still require more frequent watering than those in the garden;

Fertilizing and pruning: adding liberal quantities of compost and bone meal during planting is usually more than sufficient, but there’s no harm in feeding the plants with some water-soluble fertilizer during summer. First prune the plants lightly after the flush, feed with a little slow-release 3:1:5 and then water generously. This will encourage new growth and more flowers.