The cheerful yellow blooms of the bush daisy add color to warm weather gardens all summer long. This flowering bush, which is native to South Africa, thrives in full sun where it grows up to three feet tall and four feet wide, covering a large area with its green-gray foliage and abundant sunny flowers.
Bush daisies can be planted directly in the ground, as a border plant, or in container gardens, and they are a low maintenance plant that is perfect for those looking for an easygoing perennial flower. They prefer consistently moist soil throughout the height of summer, but can tolerate mild drought (though it may stunt their blooms).
In colder climates, they'll die back in the winter, but you can look forward to their blossoms reappearing when the weather warms up again in the spring.
Looking for a classic flower to add to your garden? Here's how to care for bush daisy plants and keep them blooming in your yard.
| Common Name | Bush daisy |
| Botanical Name | Euryops pectinatus |
| Family | Asteraceae |
| Plant Type | Perennial |
| Mature Size | 2’–3’ height, 3’-4’ wide |
| Sun Exposure | Full sun |
| Soil Type | Average, well draining soil |
| Soil pH | Mildly acidic to neutral, pH 6.1 – 7.5 |
| Bloom Time | Late spring to fall |
| Flower Color | Yellow |
| Hardiness Zones | Zone 9B - 11 |
| Native Area | South Africa |
| Toxicity | Non-toxic |
Bush Daisy Care
Here are the main care requirements for growing bush daisies:
- Grow in full sun to encourage continuous, abundant blooms.
- Plant in well-draining, mildly acidic to neutral soil.
- Bush daisies are compact but medium-size plants that can grow up to four feet wide. Give them plenty of room to spread when planting.
- Water regularly to keep the soil consistently moist, which encourages blooming. The bush daisy can be mildly drought-tolerant when necessary.
Light
Bush daisies will thrive in full sun, where they will produce continuous blossoms from late spring through fall, and even all year long in warmer climates. In partial sun environments, they will still bloom, though you'll miss out on the sea of yellow that appears when they're in optimal conditions.
Soil
Because bush daisies are easygoing plants, they'll tolerate most soil conditions. Give them a well-draining soil that's mildly acidic to neutral, and you should have a happy plant that produces a bevy of blooms. They also do well in rock gardens, which mimic their natural habitat in South Africa.
Water
To keep your bush daisy blooming abundantly, make sure its soil stays consistently moist, especially during summer's hottest, driest days. If it is allowed to dry out and stay dry, your plant may not thrive and its blooming could be reduced. It's mildly drought tolerant, but the impact of those dry seasons shows up in its blooms.
Temperature and Humidity
The bush daisy's native environment is the Western Cape of South Africa, and it prefers hot climates. It is a perennial in Zones 5 to 8, but will stay green year-round in Zones 9B to 11. In places where it stays warm all year round, like Florida, you could enjoy season-after-season of its joyful yellow flowers.
Fertilizer
Because bush daisies are so low maintenance and agreeable in a variety of soils, you typically don't need to take special care in adding fertilizer to the soil. In particularly poor conditions, you could add a standard all-purpose fertilizer.
Pruning
Bush daisies will naturally die back when the temperature drops, but resist the temptation to cut back the old growth, even when it looks shaggy and overgrown. Wait until spring to prune back your bush daisy so that it begins putting out new growth just in time for warm weather to return. If you prune it too early, that new growth could be damaged by a late frost.
Propagating Bush Daisy
Daisies are easy to propagate in just a few steps. These friendly flowers will fill your yard with new plants if you follow these instructions for propagating through stem cuttings.
- Cut a six-inch stem using pruning shears or scissors. Remove any leaves towards the bottom of the stem, leaving a few at the top.
- Dip the cutting in rooting hormone to speed up the propagation process.
- Fill a small pot with potting soil or damp sand.
- Keep the pot consistently moist and place it in a spot with bright, indirect sunlight.
- Within six weeks, the cutting should take root. Once its roots are established in the soil, it can be moved to its new location.
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How to Get Bush Daisy to Bloom
The bright, sunny blooms of the bush daisy are one of the most classic additions to a summer garden. Here's how you can make the most of these cheerful flowers.
Bloom Months
In most climates where they are grown as perennials, bush daisies will bloom from late spring through early fall. However, in warmer climates, including Zones 9B to 11, you could enjoy the pretty sight of yellow blooms all year long.
What Do Bush Daisy Flowers Look and Smell Like?
Bush daisy flowers have the timeless look that is a signature of summer's favorite flower, and look similar to gerbera daisies and other daisy varieties. They don't have a significant fragrance, but their iconic blooms are unmistakable, particularly when they fill a garden with a sea of sunny yellow.
How to Encourage More Blooms
Full sun and consistent watering are the easiest way to keep the bush daisy blooming all season long. If you're lucky enough to live in a warmer climate, keeping these laid-back flowers in the sun will encourage blooms throughout the year.
Common Pests and Plant Diseases
Bush daisies are fortunate that they do not face many common threats in the garden other than the usual snail, slug, or nematode. Occasionally, bush daisies could face yellowing leaves if the soil alkalinity is too high, which is also known as foliar chlorosis.
Common Problems With Bush Daisy
The bush daisy is an incredibly low maintenance plant that's a wonderful addition to any garden. If there are problems, they're most likely due to a lack of sun, too much drought, or cold weather.
FAQ
Do daisies keep blooming all summer?
With full sun and ample water, bush daises will provide cheerful yellow blooms from late spring through fall.
Do daisies come back every year?
Bush daisies will come back every year when grown as a perennial in Zones 5 to 8. However, in Zones 9B to 11, they are a hardy plant that can bloom year round.
Do daisies spread?
The bush daisy plant grows in a compact bush, but it is not a demure daisy. This plant will spread up to four feet wide and grow three feet tall.
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