Imagine the sky on a bright spring day, and you'll have the color of blue marguerite daisy's petals in your mind. This South African native plant adds a surprising splash of true blue to container gardens, beds, and borders in the home landscape.
Blue marguerite daisy's sky-blue flowers with yellow centers pair beautifully with just about anything in the garden. Pair it with white-flowering and silver-leafed plants such as sweet alyssum, lobelia, dusty miller, or eucalyptus for a soft, elegant look, or go for a high-contrast display by pairing it with plants that bear bold yellow or orange flowers—such as marigold, moss rose, million bells, or zinnia.
In areas with frost-free winters, blue marguerite daisy grows as a shrubby perennial that blooms throughout the summer and fall. It grows as an annual in colder areas of North America.
Blue Marguerite Daisy Overview
Where to Plant Blue Marguerite Daisy
Plant blue marguerite daisy in lightweight, well-draining soil amended with compost. This plant doesn't grow well in heavy clay. It grows best in a garden bed or border that receives full sun.
How and When to Plant Blue Marguerite Daisy
Plant transplants outdoors in spring after the last spring frost. Prepare a garden bed and plant blue marguerite daisy plants about 12 inches apart, setting them in the soil at the same depth they were in their containers.
If you have trouble finding blue marguerite daisy available as transplants at the garden center, grow it from seed. Start it indoors about six weeks before the last expected frost. Sow the seeds in seed-starting mix and cover them with 1/8 inch of soil. Moisten the planting medium and cover the pot or flat with a clear cover or plastic bag. Keep it in a bright, warm location until the seeds germinate in 7-14 days. Acclimate the seedlings to life outdoors by giving them a spot in the shade before exposing them to full sun.
Blue Marguerite Daisy Care Tips
Light
Blue marguerite daisy thrives in a sunny spot with at least six hours of direct sun daily. In an area with especially hot summers, the plant's bloom season lasts a little longer into the summer when it receives some afternoon shade.
Soil and Water
Like many plants native to South Africa, blue marguerite daisy does best in lightweight, well-draining soil. Avoid planting it in soil with heavy clay. If you're in an area where the soil contains more than its fair share of clay, grow this plant in container gardens or raised beds where you can provide better drainage
Temperature and Humidity
Blue marguerite daisy grows best in areas with cool and mild summers, making it an excellent choice for gardens in the Pacific Northwest and Northeast. It usually starts to fade when the temperature regularly stays above 85°F. The plant doesn't grow well in areas with high humidity.
When the outdoor temperature reaches 40°F, the plant dies, which is why it is grown as an annual in most parts of the country. However, it can also be dug up and overwintered indoors before being moved outdoors again in spring or grown year-round in containers that are moved inside for the winter. Then, the plant will live for two or three years.
Fertilizer
These plants don't require any fertilizer other than some compost or organic matter added at planting time.
Pruning
Blue marguerite daisy doesn't require pruning, though deadheading (removing old, faded flowers) encourages it to produce more flowers.
Potting and Repotting Blue Marguerite Daisy
Blue marguerite daisy is an excellent container plant for a patio or other sitting area. Select a container with excellent drainage and fill it with potting soil. Combine blue marguerite daisy with other plants that like the same growing conditions, and enjoy them throughout the summer. In all but the warmest areas, the container plants will die unless the container is moved inside, so no repotting is needed. Just start over again in spring with new transplants.
Pests and Problems
Blue marguerite daisy isn't bothered by most pests, but they might attract common garden pests, such as aphids, spider mites, and thrips. Catch their presence early and treat them with insecticidal soap or neam oil. If the infestation is heavy, an insecticide may be necessary.
When this plant grows in too-wet soil, root rot might occur. Prevent root rot by not overwatering the plants, and ensure they are growing in well-draining soil.
How to Propagate Blue Marguerite Daisy
In late summer, take 3- to 4-inch stem cuttings from stems that are not flowering. Remove the leaves from the bottom half of each cutting and dip it in rooting hormone. Insert the cutting into a 4-inch peat pot filled with moist potting soil and cover it with a clear plastic bag. Place the pot in a warm place with bright, indirect light. Keep the potting soil moist until new growth occurs, indicating the cutting has rooted. Remove the plastic bag and overwinter the plants in a bright window. In spring, plant them outside after a hardening-off period.
Types of Blue Marguerite Daisy
Blue Marguerite Daisy
Felicia amelloides blue marguerite daisy is known for its long-lasting, showy blue daisylike flowers. The small blooms are held high on plants that grow 1-3 feet high and wide and bring true blue to cottage gardens, rock gardens, borders, and edgings. They grow as annuals in most parts of the country but can overwinter with care in Zones 9-11.
Variegated Blue Marguerite Daisy
Felicia amelloides ‘Variegata’ with blue daisies and green and white variegated leaves is the variegated version of blue marguerite daisy. It is a tender perennial that tolerates lower temperatures (to 23°F), so it can winter over in more areas than its cousin. It usually blooms from June through October. It grows to a height and width of 1-3 feet.
Blue Marguerite Daisy Companion Plants
Calibrachoa
Calibrachoa will trail over the edge of a container, while blue marguerite stands tall in the center of the pot. Choose a complementary or contrasting hue.
Dichondra
A perfect container pairing, dichondra and blue marguerite create a lush planting that keeps its stellar looks for months.
French Marigold
Complement the blue marguerite's bright yellow center with a nearby planting of easy-to-grow marigolds.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Are there other names for blue marguerite daisy?There are several, including blue daisy, blue felicia, kingfisher daisy, and cape aster.
There are several, including blue daisy, blue felicia, kingfisher daisy, and cape aster.
- Which pollinators does blue marguerite daisy attract?This plant attracts butterflies, bees (including honeybees), and birds to the garden.
This plant attracts butterflies, bees (including honeybees), and birds to the garden.