Felicia, Genus, spp., Multiple species,
- Genus
- Multiple species
Felicias
Overview
Felicia 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 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 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
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height6" - 2'
Width/Spread8" - 2'
Bloom Information
Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
blue, mauve, pink, or white with a yellow discFoliage Description
green to grey-greenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
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
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Grow Felicia 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 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
Prune: March & July
early springsummer
Container Growing
Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 2 gallons
