Daisy - White Cape Venidium Daisy (Venidium fastuosum) Monarch of the Veldt Cape Daisy Namaqualand Daisies Flower

Daisy - White Cape Venidium Daisy (Venidium fastuosum) Monarch of the Veldt Cape Daisy Namaqualand Daisies Flower

Annual

Height 18 to 24 in

Note: not to be confused with osteospermums cape daisies! Which also originated in Africa, prefers cool conditions, and are also called African daisies! Osteospermums belong to a different (although closely related) genus. 

This variety of Cape Daisy is a half hardy annual that goes by several names: Monarch of the Veldt, Cape Daisy, and Namaqualand Daisy. Plants produce 3 to 4 inch blooms that resemble vividly painted sunflowers. Each flower has a gold ring around its deep, dark centre that is surrounded by a fancy 'braid', with maroon dashes alternating with shorter dots that radiate up from the base of its petals. 

Flowers make excellent cut flowers and are much loved by butterflies! Venidium Cape Daisies tend to close whenever they aren’t getting enough sun rays, in the evening, and during cloudy weather. As this variety originates from South Africa and Nambia, you would think that they require lots of heat - which is not the case. Cape Caisies prefer cooler conditions and typically bloom during the spring in their homeland, after the ground is soaked by winter rains.

Venidiums, are stunning and their blooms are complimented by their silvery and fuzzy lobed leaves and interesting cobweb-like buds. Plants tend to be floppy and may require staking; they typically reach about 2 ft high, but their height reportedly depends on how much water they get. Frost tender. Deer resistant. Perfect for cut flower gardens, borders and cottage gardens.

• Full sun
• Soil: rich soil is recommended;  add a very light layer of compost over the ground 
• Start seeds indoors 6 to 8 weeks before the last expected frost date.
• Press 4 to 5 seeds per pot into the soil, cover the seed with 1/8 in soil, and keep it moist. Keep these under somewhat cool conditions, preferably between 60 and 72F, until they germinate.
• Germination: 3 to 4 weeks
• Spacing 12 to 15 in apart
• OR sow seeds directly outdoors in spring after all risk of frost has passed and when the soil has warmed up - space seeds 3 in apart; thin to 1 ft apart.
• Maturity: about 3 1/2 months to flower from seed
• Many gardeners grow Venidiums in their vegetable gardens as the flowers are very attractive to beneficial insects that help in the vegetable garden.
• Blooms: late summer through fall
• Seed Count: 20