An import from the land down under, Swan River daisy (Brachyscome iberidifolia) joins eucalyptus as one of our favorite botanical gifts from Australia.
Though this blooming beauty is available with lavender, pink, or white flowers, it’s the varieties with the striking blue daisy-like flowers that really catch our attention, especially when massed groundcover-style.
While generally classified as an annual, this drought-tolerant, fragrant jewel may function as an herbaceous perennial in Zones 8-10.
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Bear in mind, however, that B. iberidifolia doesn’t flower well in very hot weather.
In addition to being used to cover large swaths of a garden bed, many gardeners use this member of the Asteraceae family in borders and in containers.
It grows to a mature height of one to three feet, with a spread of one to one and a half feet.
The foliage of this plant – whose scientific name is sometimes spelled “Brachycome” without the “s” – is many-branched and sports light green, finely divided leaves with long and narrow segments.
Swan River daisy’s one-inch flowers are profuse across the plant. You’ll want to deadhead the spent flowers to promote continued blooming.
Let’s Get GrowingYou can propagate from seeds started indoors six to eight weeks before your average last frost date. You can also sow directly in the garden after the last frost date.
Some gardeners like to sow successively every two to four weeks throughout the summer to enhance the bloom period.
Low-maintenance B. iberidifolia isn’t terribly picky about its soil, tolerating poor dirt but thriving in rich
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