Perennial Of The Day

Gazania rigens syn. Gazania ringens; Gazania splendens 'Daybreak Red Stripe'

Treasure Flower, Gazania

Type Perennial

Hardy range 7A to 9A

Height 6" to 12" / 15cm to 30cm

Growth rate Average

Form Upright or erect

Exposure Full sun

Bloom Color Red and yellow

Bloom Time Summer and Fall

The flowers are showy.


EnvironmentThis plant tolerates drought and salt well.
This plant will grow in dry to moist soil.
Suitable soil is sandy.
The pH preference is a neutral soil.

Leaf Color Green and silvery

Culture NotesThe well known garden plant Gazania splendens (or "rigens") originates in South Africa. The petals are usually orange, yellow or white, but sometimes bronze or pink. At the base they are often brown forming an attractive ring at the center. The flowers close in darker weather and opens again with the first rays of the sun. "Daybreak", called after this surprising effect of the sunlight, is one of the most well known Gazania hybrids.
'Daybreak Red Stripe' is a really unique variation of this Gazania series, with a red stripe dissipating out over each deep yellow petal. This gives the startling effect of a radiating sun when the flowers open.
It is the third Gazania from the 'Daybreak' series to win a Gold Medal from Fleuroselect, the international organization for testing new flower seeds. The golden-yellow 'Garden Sun' from 1990 was only emanated in 1996 by 'Bright Orange' which bloomed earlier, richer and more uniformly than any other seed Gazania. The new 'Daybreak Red Stripe' yet again beats its predecessors in beauty, keeping the compact form, and countless, large, single flowers, which open earlier than other Gazanias. This richly flowering and unusual plant therefore shines in the garden, even before the penetration of the first sun's rays.
If sown in January, 'Daybreak Red Stripe' can be planted out from May (end of the frosts). To germinate, the seeds should be covered lightly and kept damp at 21 ° C. After 3 weeks the seedlings can be transferred to 9 cm pots or sets (16 or 24). Growth regulators are not required. Hobby gardens can expect later flowering due to lower temperatures during the growth period. Gazanias perform well in borders, rockeries and in pots. They can withstand dry conditions, salty air and wind and have a preference for a sunny spot and well-drained soil.

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