Felicia

( fel - ISS - ee - uh )

At-A-Glance Information

This genus includes species of shrubs, perennials, and annuals which need full sun and are native to South Africa. They produce profuse shows of blue daisy flowers from spring through fall that attract butterflies to the garden. Rosette leaves are generally evergreen, and stems are mostly leafless towards the top. Felicia is useful in mixed beds as well as for forming borders, and can also be grown in containers or large window boxes.

felicia Species and Varietals

Felicia is a genus of 85 species of small herbaceous shrubs and perennial plants that is a member of the plant family Asteraceae. The genus is named in honor of Italian-Swiss scientist Fortunato Bartolomeo de Felice. Growing zones for Felicia depend on the species. Refer to the descriptions below for more information. To find your zone, click here: Zone Map.

Felicia amelioides (Aster amelloides, Agathaea coelestis) (Blue Marguerite, Blue Daisy Bush, Blue Daisy, Bush Felicia, Kingfisher Daisy)
This perennial species tends to be woody, is suited for USDA hardiness zones 8b-11 or Sunset growing zones 8, 9, and 14-24. Individual plants reach up to 1.5 feet tall and 4-5 feet wide, with fragrant leaves and a profusion of small yellow-centered sky blue daisies. A form with white-variegated leaves is available. Grows well in pots or containers, where trailing stems can spill over.

Felicia bergeriana (Kingfisher Daisy, Blue Daisy, Dwarf Felicia, Visvangermadaliefie)
This species grows well in USDA hardiness zones 9a-11b, or in any zone as an annual. This freely-branching plant has greyish green leaves and bright blue flowers that bloom all summer long. Great for pots, window boxes, borders, and edges. Requires regular waterings for best performance.

Felicia fruticosa (Aster fruticosus) (Shrub Aster, Bush Felicia, Wild Aster, Bosastertjie)
This evergreen shrub grows best in USDA hardiness zones 9a-11b or Sunset growing zones 8, 9, and 14-24. Bushy and dense, this shrub reaches 2-4 feet tall and 3 feet wide at maturity. Dark green leaves and profuse, lavender flowers bloom in springtime. Needs little to moderate water and should be pruned after blooms expire to keep the plant looking neat and encourage more blooms to pop.

Caring for Felicia

Plant Ranunculus 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. In warmer zones, provide with some afternoon shade when temperatures are at their peak. When these flowers are grown in less light, they will not flower as profusely and can become leggy. These plants are even great in areas of the garden where other plants won't grow due to poor soil and exposure to wind. Space plants 8 to 12 inches apart for best coverage and airflow. Ensure that soil is well-draining, rich in nutrients, and has a pH of between 6.0 and 7.0 (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 flowers require moderate, regular waterings with periods of dry soil in between.

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. Deadhead regularly during blooming season to neaten appearance and encourage reblooms. In midsummer when the plant is beginning to look a little haggard, prune lightly. In late summer, cut the plant back hard for a new push of fresh foliage. Felicia plants are tender perennials in most zones, and are sometimes treated as annuals, pulled and composted at the end of the growing season each year and replaced in the next. In warmer zones, they typically survive for 3 to 5 years before needing to be replaced.

Propagation

Felicia 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 plant, follow the instructions below:

Propagating Felicia by Cutting

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.
In spring, 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 off all but the top pair of leaves. 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.
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.
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 plant.

Propagating Felicia by Seed

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 Ziploc bag filled with potting soil, 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.
Harvest your seeds in mid- to late fall, cutting flower heads off the plant and placing them in a paper bag. Once the seeds have been released, place them in an airtight container in a cool, dry, dark place until you are ready to sow.
Felicia seeds need a cold snap to germinate well, so they'll need to be cold-stratified before planting. Place your harvested seeds in growing medium that is lightly moist inside of a Ziploc bag. Place the bag in the refrigerator, and leave it there for about three weeks. After this, remove the seeds from the bag and separate them from the planting medium.
In mid- to late-winter or early spring (6-8 weeks before the last frost of the year), 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 4-6 weeks from sowing.
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.
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 weather warms and your propagated Felicia can be planted in its forever home in your garden.