Osteospermum 'Gelato Series'

Scientific Name: Osteospermum ecklonis ‘Gelato’ Series

Common Name: Gelato African Daisy

Exposure: Full sun

Blooming Time: May to October

Bloom Duration: 5 to 6 months

Fragrance: Light, sweet fragrance

Plant Growing Habit: Compact, mounded, bushy

Characteristics: Produces masses of large, daisy-like flowers in a range of vibrant colours, depending on the cultivar, with contrasting dark or blue centres. Blooms continuously from spring until frost, providing outstanding colour in garden beds, borders, containers and hanging baskets. Heat-tolerant and attractive to bees and butterflies. The tidy, well-branched habit makes it an excellent choice for seasonal displays.

Spacing: 30 to 40 cm apart

Height: 25 to 40 cm

Width: 30 to 45 cm

Maintenance Requirements: Moderate maintenance. Prefers fertile, well-drained soil and full sun for the best flowering. Water regularly, allowing the soil to dry slightly between waterings. Deadhead spent blooms regularly to encourage continuous flowering. Fertilize every 2 to 3 weeks during the growing season with a balanced flowering plant fertilizer. Performs best in cooler temperatures and may bloom less during periods of extreme summer heat before reblooming as temperatures moderate. Protect from frost, as it is grown as an annual in most Canadian gardens.