Felicia spp.

Felicias

Attracts Pollinators Attracts Butterflies Drought Tolerant Container Friendly

HardinessZones 9–11

Overview

Felicia spp. is a genus of about 85 species of annuals, perennials, and small subshrubs in the daisy family Asteraceae, native mainly to southern Africa and concentrated in South Africa. Plants range from low spreading mats to bushy subshrubs 6-24 in (15-60 cm) tall, with small, often roughly hairy, entire or toothed leaves. The daisy-like flower heads, 0.75-1.5 in (2-4 cm) across, have a ring of slender ray florets around a yellow central disc. The rays are most often sky-blue to deep blue, though some species and cultivars are pink, mauve, or white. The heads open in sunshine and close in dull weather and at night. F. amelloides, the blue marguerite, is a rounded evergreen subshrub flowering over a long warm season and is the species grown most often. Most Felicia spp. are frost-tender or half-hardy and are grown as warm-season bedding, container, or rock-garden plants, surviving outdoors year-round only in mild, nearly frost-free climates. The genus needs full sun and sharp drainage and tends to become straggly in rich soil or shade.

Native Range

The genus is native to southern Africa, with the great majority of species occurring in South Africa, and a few extending into tropical Africa and the Arabian Peninsula. F. amelloides comes from the coastal regions of South Africa Western and Eastern Cape.

Suggested Uses

Felicia spp. is grown as warm-season bedding, in containers and hanging baskets, and in rock and gravel gardens and at border edges. Plants are spaced 10-16 in (25-40 cm) apart. The blue daisies combine with silver foliage and hot-coloured summer flowers.

How to Identify

Identify Felicia spp. by its small blue daisy heads with a yellow central disc, carried singly on slender stalks above low, bushy or mat-forming growth. The leaves are small, often rough to the touch, and the flowers close in dull weather. Sky-blue rays around a yellow disc separate Felicia spp. from the white or yellow daisies of related genera.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height6" - 2'

Width/Spread8" - 2'

Colors

Flower Colors

Foliage Colors

Fall Foliage Colors

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~20 weeks

Spring Summer Fall

Felicia spp. flowers freely through the warm months, and F. amelloides can flower nearly year-round in frost-free climates. In temperate gardens the main display runs from late spring to autumn. Removing faded heads keeps the flowers coming.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

blue, mauve, pink, or white with a yellow disc

Foliage Description

green to grey-green

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

SunFull Sun

Requires 6-8 hours of direct sunlight daily

• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight

• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight

• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range6.0 - 7.5(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

sand loam rocky

Drainagewell drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Low

Frost Tolerance

tender

Time to Maturity

1-2 years

Drought Tolerance

Drought tolerant when established

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Grow Felicia spp. in full sun in light, sharply drained sandy or gritty soil with a pH of 6.0-7.5. The genus needs sun and free drainage and grows leggy and shy-flowering in shade or heavy, rich ground. Water moderately and let the soil dry between waterings, since the plants tolerate dry spells but rot in wet soil. Pinch young plants and trim after the main flush to keep growth bushy. Most species are frost-tender to half-hardy, so in cold areas they are grown as annuals or overwintered frost-free. Light feeding suits them, as overfeeding produces leaves at the expense of flowers.

Pruning

Trimming or shearing Felicia spp. lightly after the main flush keeps the plants compact and prompts repeat bloom. Pinching the shoot tips of young plants encourages branching. Old, woody, straggly stems can be cut back hard in spring to renew the plant.

Pruning Schedule

early springsummer