How To Plant Marguerite Daisies
Using these tips, you will be able to plant and nurture marguerite daisies in your garden. Marguerite daisies, also known as Argyranthemum frutescens, are members of the chyrsanthemum family. They are easy to grow, come in a variety of colors, and will bloom most of the year in most mild climates. They are easy to propagate from cuttings and can be found in pots, ready for transplanting, in nurseries in the spring. They have green foliage and a pleasant scent. They do well in beds or in containers where they can be a focal point with their charming blooms. They bloom repeatedly so you will have color in your garden from mid-spring until the first hard frost in the fall. This plant does not require deadheading of old blooms and will attract birds, bees, and butterflies to your yard.
Marguerite daisies like full sun and can survive a range of temperatures once established. They do quite well in coastal regions. Prepare the soil with high levels of organic matter such as rich compost. Make sure the soil is loose and well-draining. When ready to transplant, add a good complete fertilizer to the soil. After plants adjust to their new location and are actively growing, you can pinch them back to the fifth or sixth set of leaves to give them a good start. Once the plants are established and growing, fertilize with a balanced fertilizer every two weeks until just a couple of weeks before blooming. Use a high nitrogen fertilizer for the final fertilization.
These daisies grow as tall as three feet so plant them in back of other annuals or as a backdrop for spring blooming bulbs. They also spread up to two feet so allow for this when spacing your plants. A good spacing is 15 to 18 inches apart. Water regularly so the plants don't dry out, which can cause the foliage to die. At the other extreme, overwatering can cause plant collapse. Monitor the soil moisture and avoid either extreme.
These plants are classed as annuals and tropical or tender perennials. In cooler environments, the plants will not easily overwinter. They are considered hardy to 30 degrees Fahrenheit but will need some care in the form of mulch to overwinter. Conversely, in warm climates, the Marguerite daisy will stop blooming if night-time temperatures stay above 70 degrees Fahrenheit. If this happens, just trim them back with a sharp pair of scissors. This will force them to branch out and develop new growth. When the night-time temperatures fall, the plant will bloom again and continue to do so until the first hard frost.
To propagate, take cuttings and dip in rooting hormone. Set under a mister to provide proper humidity. In about five days, the cuttings will produce callouses and begin to produce roots. Continue misting to help the new roots support the thirsty leaves. As the roots become established, gradually reduce misting and start gently watering. When ready to transplant, application of a fungicide will help prevent disease.
If you follow these helpful hints, your marguerite daisies will add beautiful color and a friendly demeanor to your garden.
