Plants
Treasure Flower
Gazania · Asteraceae
Gazania, popularly called midday gold in German, bears perhaps the most graphic blooms of all summer flowers: large, silky-sheened daisies in orange, yellow or red, often with dark ray rings and contrasting stripes. Like moss rose it is a sun worshipper from South Africa — the flowers open only in direct light. On hot, dry sites it is among the most reliable things summer has to offer.
- Light
- Full sun — in dull positions the flowers stay closed.
- Watering
- Little — silvery foliage and fleshy roots bridge dry spells.
- Care level
- Easy
- Botanical
- Gazania
The trade stock consists almost entirely of hybrids, for instance from the Kiss, Big Kiss or New Day series. They flower earlier and larger than the wild species and keep their blooms open longer even under light cloud. Striped varieties, their markings reminiscent of tin-glaze patterns, are especially sought after.
The opening and closing of the blooms is a legacy of their South African home: in sun the ray florets unfold, under cloud, in rain and in the evening they close to protect pollen and nectar. A north-facing balcony or a rainy July is therefore the wrong stage for this plant.
The silvery-haired foliage of many varieties is more than decoration — the fine hairs reflect sunlight and reduce evaporation. Together with the fleshy roots this makes gazania remarkably drought-proof: it survives short holidays in the bed without a watering rota.
The classic mistake here too is excessive care: in wet, rich soil gazania rots or produces tufts of leaf without flowers. Lean, free-draining substrate, full sun and restrained watering are the entire recipe.
In design gazania plays its strength in the foreground: at 15 to 25 centimetres it edges beds, fills bowls and troughs and glows between stones in gravel gardens. We like to pair the warm tones with blue partners such as fan flower, or with silver-leaved neighbours.
Regular deadheading of the spent daisies pays off, clearly extending the flowering season into September. If you have grown fond of particular varieties you can overwinter them bright and cool — though fresh young stock from the nursery is usually more vigorous.
Is Treasure Flower toxic to children and pets?
- Children
- Non-toxic
- Cats
- Non-toxic
- Dogs
- Non-toxic
Gazania is considered non-toxic to cats, dogs and children. As with all daisies, the sap can irritate very sensitive skin; serious poisoning is not known.
Overview: toxic & non-toxic plants for cats, dogs and children
Care
- 01Choose a full-sun, warm position — the flowers open only in direct sunlight.
- 02Water sparingly, letting the soil dry well between waterings.
- 03Use a free-draining, rather lean substrate; avoid waterlogging at all costs.
- 04Feed lightly every two to three weeks, gazania needs no more.
- 05Deadhead spent blooms regularly, extending the flowering into autumn.
- 06Plant out only after the last late frosts in mid-May.
Frequently asked
- Why does gazania close its flowers?
- It is a natural protection mechanism: under cloud, in rain and at dusk the ray florets fold shut to protect pollen and nectar. As soon as the sun returns they reopen. Modern hybrids stay open somewhat longer, but the behaviour cannot be switched off entirely.
- Is gazania perennial?
- In its South African home yes, but here it is not hardy and is grown as an annual. Bright, cool overwintering at around ten degrees is possible, though young nursery plants usually flower more strongly the following year.
- Is gazania toxic to pets?
- No, gazania is considered non-toxic to cats and dogs and harmless to children as well. It can safely grow in low beds and bowls within reach of animals.
- How much water does gazania need?
- Surprisingly little. Its silvery foliage and fleshy roots are built for drought — in beds, rain is usually enough once established, and in bowls watering when the soil has dried through suffices. Too much water harms it more than too little.