Sunday, May 16, 2010

Lemon Symphony Osteospermum Flowers

Osteosperum used to belong to the genus Dimorphotheca, but only the annual species remain in that genus; the perennials belong to Osteospermum. The genus Osteospermum is also closely related to the small genus Chrysanthemoides.

Osteospermum blooms will close every evening, and open up again in early morning. Regular deadheading will encourage new bloom, and a light summer pruning may result in a fall flush of bloom after the weather cools off. They grow 8-15”, with a mounding growth habit. Be sure to use these at the front of the border or set them around the patio in pots. Osteospermum 'Lemon Symphony' is a Proven Winner Selection; this variety is lemon yellow with traditional daisy type petals. It has a dark purple eye that is surrounded by a halo of lighter purple at the base of the petals.

Plant Osteospermum Lemon Symphony is fertile in well drained soil in full sun. Keep the soils moist and never allow the plant to wilt. Fertilize monthly when grown in beds, twice monthly in containers. Remove spent flowers to promote new flower growth.

Lemon Symphony Osteospermum displays yellow daisy-like flowers with a dark purple eye that bloom from spring until fall. Lemon Symphony does well in hanging baskets, window boxes, landscaping and combination planters.