Euryops

( yew - ree - ops )

At-A-Glance Information

This shrub, commonly called Bush Daisy, has a profuse, long-lasting show of yellow daisy flowers and loves full sun. A native to rocky areas in South Africa, this shrub takes little to regular water, and needs very good drainage to perform well. Old flower heads should be dead-headed regularly to improve appearance. These plants thrive in ocean winds, but are damaged by frost. Euryops shrubs are wonderful additions to Mediterranean gardens, rustic plantings and rock gardens. Their yellow flowers are also great in border flower beds.

Euryops Species and Varietals

The genus Euryops is a member of the Aster family of plants (Asteraceae) and includes around 50 species of flowering shrubs. The genus name Euryops probably comes from the Greek words for wide (eurys) and eye (opsis). Euryops growing zones vary by species. For more information, see the descriptions below. To find your zone, click here: Zone Map. 

Euryops acraeus (Mountain Euryops, Golden Shrub Daisy, Yellow Marguerite, Bright Eyes)
Grows best in USDA hardiness zones 8-11 or Sunset growing zones 5-9 and 12-24. 2 foot high mounded grower with silver-grey leaves and bright yellow daisy flowers in springtime. Can be used in rock gardens. May not survive cold winters unless protected.

Euryops chrysanthemoides (African Bush Daisy, Bull's Eye)
This species forms a small shrub, and is native to southern regions of the African continent. It is an ornamental garden plant cultivated in tropical and subtropical areas around the globe. Individual plants reach up to 2 to 5 feet tall and 3 to 4 feet wide at maturity. Foliage is dense and dark green, and flowers are yellow to 2 inches wide.

Euryops pectinatus (Grey-Leaved Euryops, Bush Daisy, Golden Shrub Daisy, Golden Euryops)
Grows to 3-6 feet tall and wide in zones 8, 9, 12-24, H1 and H2. Very easy to care for and grow, and is great as a filler, background plant or low hedge-screen. Gray-green leaves and yellow daisies. Needs shearing in early spring to limit size. Varieties include 'Viridis' (deep green leaves), and 'Munchkin' (gray-green foliage; grows to 3 feet tall and 4 feet wide).

Caring for Euryops

Plant Euryops in a space in the landscape that receives full sun; ideally, they appreciate between 6 and 8 hours of sun each day for the best blooms. When these flowers are grown in less light, they will not flower as profusely. Ensure that soil is well-draining, rich in nutrients, and has a pH of between 6.1 and 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral). If local soils are particularly poor in nutrients or do not drain well, make sure to amend the planting area with plenty of organic compost before installing. Apply a layer of mulch around the planting area to suppress weed growth, maintain consistent soil temperatures, and to increase soil moisture retention. Water new plantings regularly as they establish a strong root system in their new home. At maturity, these plants perform well when given occasional deep waterings. They are considered drought-tolerant, able to get by on rainwater alone for much of the year. Take care to not overwater these flowers, as they will develop issues with root rot in soils that are too moist.

Fertilize yearly in early springtime with an application of 2 inches of compost around the base of plants. Pull mulch back before applying, work the compost gently into the soil a bit, water it in, and then replace mulch. Pruning is simple; remove any damaged, diseased, or dead foliage at any time during the growing season, and remove spent flower spikes to neaten up the appearance of plants and encourage reblooms. Each year in late winter or early springtime, these plants can be pruned back to the ground. They are woody ornamentals, and after a few years will form thick stems at their base. Euryops are perennial plants that can last up to 8 years or longer in the landscape, though they are more likely to be replaced after 3 to 5 to maintain a more herbaceous look.

Propagation

Euryops can be propagated either by using cuttings or from seed. To ensure that your propagated plant will have the exact same qualities and characteristics as the parent plant, use the cutting method. If you would like to experiment and see what plant you can grow from seed, just keep in mind that it will not necessarily be the same as the parent plant. To propagate your shrub, follow the instructions below:

Propagating Euryops by Cutting
  1. Gather your materials. You'll need a clean, sanitized, sharp pair of garden shears, rooting hormone, a pencil, and a 3-inch pot filled with well-draining compost or other organic material. A good substrate for propagation of cuttings is a light blend of 1/3 pasteurized soil or compost, 1/3 sand, vermiculite or perlite, and 1/3 coconut coir or peat moss.
  2. In spring or early summertime, choose the plant that you'd like to propagate. Ensure that this plant has had a good watering the night before, as this will improve the chances your cutting will take root. Cut one or more 6 inch portion(s) of the end of a non-blooming branch and strip the leaves off of the lower half. Make a hole in your planting medium by pushing your pencil into the soil. Dip the end of the stem in rooting hormone, and plant it in your pot. Fill in soil around the cutting to support it, but do not pack it down too much.
  3. Moisten with water, and ensure that the pot has good drainage. Your pot should be kept in warm, sunny conditions indoors (and not in direct sunlight). Water whenever your soil is dry under the top layer. After about four to six weeks have passed, your cutting should be rooted. When you notice new growth, you'll know you have roots.
  4. Keep your new plant in an area with bright light (though not direct sunlight) and temperatures between 55 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Ensure that the soil stays moist, but not wet, until the next spring, when you can transplant it to its new home. Ensure that the last frost of the year has occurred before doing this, as it can seriously damage your new shrub.

Propagating Euryops by Seed
  1. Keep in mind that the plant you get from seed will not necessarily mimic all of the characteristics of the parent plant. To propagate by seed, you will need a paper bag, a pot or tray filled with well-draining compost or other organic material, a spray bottle and a fork. The best potting medium for seed germination is a light blend of 1/3 pasteurized soil or compost, 1/3 sand, vermiculite or perlite, and 1/3 coconut coir or peat moss.
  2. Harvest your seeds. Once flower heads have dried out and seeds are visible (see the photos below), you can cut the flower heads off the plant, collect them, place them in a paper bag, and shake to release. Store seeds in a cool, dry area in a sealed container until you are ready to work with them.
  3. Water your prepared seed tray or pot filled with soil, and ensure that good drainage is occurring. Place your seeds in your prepared pot or seed tray about a quarter inch to a half-inch under the soil surface. Cover them with soil and water with your spray bottle. Place your tray of seeds in a warm area that receives bright, indirect light. A greenhouse is the most ideal climate, but a planting tray inside a window will do as well. Germination usually takes 14-21 days from sowing.
  4. Once you begin to see seedlings sprout and they are able to be handled, transplant them to their own individual 3-inch pots, filled with the same potting medium as described in Step 1. Loosen the seedlings from the potting medium by digging down with the tines of your fork about an inch and a half, gently working the seedling up until it is out. Then, replant the seedling in its individual pot.
  5. Keep the seedling's potting medium moist, but not wet, by spraying the soil with your spray bottle. Keep your new plant in an area with bright light (though not direct sunlight) and temperatures between 55 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Ensure that the soil stays moist, but not wet, until the next spring (after the danger of frost has passed), when you can transplant it to its new home.

Problems and Pests

Euryops, although generally considered pest and disease-free, is susceptible to the following from time to time: 
  • Nemotodes
For more information on these issues, including how to treat and prevent them, see the following links:
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Gallery

A newly planted Euryops pectinatus shrub in a mixed bed in Saratoga, CA (zone 15).
Euryops shrubs can be trained into small potted trees given some time and patience.
The yellow flowers of Euryops shrubs can add interest to patio areas and mixed beds.

Videos

A short video all about Euryops shrubs.
How to prune woody perennial plants, such as Euryops.

Resources

Euryops Bush Daisy Care: How to Grow Bush Daisies Plants
Euryops Daisy Bush - Information on Growing Bush Daisies
Wikipedia: Euryops pectinatus
Wikipedia: Euryops
The New Sunset Western Garden Book: The Ultimate Gardening Guide (2012) - Page 317, Euryops