Dimorphotheca

( dye - mor - FOH - thick - uh )

At-A-Glance Information

Dimorphotheca, also known as African Daisy or Cape Marigold, is a genus of flowering annuals native to South Africa. Blooms provide winter and spring color to gardens, and they require full sun and regular water. They prefer areas with dry summers and warm winters, but can also be grown in cold-winter regions, where they will bloom in summertime. Flowers close up when not exposed to sunlight. They are great for parking strips, along roadways and as a filler amongst lower shrub plants. 

Dimorphotheca Species and Varietals

The genus Dimorphotheca is a member of the plant family Asteraceae, and includes about 20 species. Dimorphotheca grows in zones 1-24, but performs best in areas with warm summertime temperatures. ​To find your zone, click here: Zone Map.

Dimorphotheca cuneata (Rain Flower, White Bietou)
​This species is native to the Cape Provinces of South Africa, as well as Namibia and Botswana. These subshrubs reach about 40 inches tall and have dark green, narrow foliage that is fragrant when crushed. Flowers are white with yellow centers. These plants are widely grown as garden ornamentals throughout the world.

Dimorphotheca ecklonis (Cape Marguerite, African Daisy, Van Staden's River Daisy, Sundays River Daisy, White Daisy Bush, Blue-and-White Daisy Bush, Star of the Veldt)
These perennial ornamentals are commonly cultivated as garden plants, and produce profuse shows of blooms of yellow, orange, purple, white, or pink flowers. These plants are considered invasive in some areas of the world (namely, Australia), so take care when planting them in your garden. These small shrubs reach between 8 and 24 inches tall at maturity. Bloom time is from spring to summer.

Dimorphotheca fruticosa (Osteospermum fruticosum) (Trailing African Daisy)
These plants form small shrubs with stems that have a bit of a trailing habit to them. Flowers are commonly white, and foliage is green. This species is considered to be a weed in New Zealand, where it enjoys growing in coastal conditions. Trailing African Daisy is native to South Africa.

Dimorphotheca jucunda (Delightful African Daisy)
This species is native to South Africa, Lesotho, and Eswatini, and is an introduced but thriving species on Tasmania and in Ireland. There are many cultivars of this species that have been developed over the years, including 'Blackthorn Seedling' and 'Langtrees'.

Dimorphotheca pluvialis (Dimorphotheca annua) (Ox-Eye Daisy, Cape Daisy, Rain Daisy, Cape Marigold, Weather Prophet)
These plants produce stems 4-16 inches tall. Flowers are yellow centered with white rays that are purple underneath. Variety 'Glistening White' is a dwarf cultivar with larger flowers than the species. These plants have somewhat naturalized in California. 

Dimorphotheca sinuata (Dimorphotheca aurantiaca) (Glandular Cape Marigold, Namaqualand Daisy, Orange Namaqualand Daisy)
These are very common African Daisies, and grow 4-12 inches tall. Yellow- or dark-centered flowers are orange with deep-violet bases. Varieties come in shades of yellow, light orange and white with contrasting-colored centers. Can be invasive, and have naturalized in the United States in California and Arizona.

Caring for Name

Benefit from little water in summertime.

Propagation

Seed

Problems and Pests

These flowers can be invasive. 

Gallery

Camellias are great candidates to be grown as container plants on your patio.
A field of thea sinensis
Camellia hiemalis 'Shishi Gashira'

Videos

A video all about growing camellias successfully
Propagating camellias

Resources

Wikipedia: Dimorphotheca
The New Sunset Western Garden Book: The Ultimate Gardening Guide (2012) - Page 190, Dimorphotheca
If you have any questions, comments, concerns, or photos you’d like to add to the gallery, please let me know by sending me a message using the button below!
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