Margarita Cool Purple Cape Daisy

Margarita Cool Purple Cape Daisy (Osteospermum ecklonis 'Margarita Cool Purple') is a low, mounding South African perennial, 30cm tall and wide, covered in deep warm-purple daisies. The flowers open repeatedly, from spring to autumn and through most of the year in sunny spots. It is compact, resilient and heat tolerant, with stems that hold the flowers upright.

Why you'll love it

• Vibrant purple, deepening with age. The flowers open slightly lighter and mature to an intense, eye-catching depth of purple.
• Upright flowers. The stems hold the blooms up, so the colour is always on show.
• Heat and drought tolerant. Once established it handles heat and dry weather, and it copes with seaside and alkaline soil.
• Fast and easy. It grows quickly and asks for little more than a feed and a drink to keep flowering.
• Versatile. It is just as at home in pots and hanging baskets as in a garden bed.

Where it works best

Mass planting and groundcover. Plant 30cm apart for a dense, flowering mat. En masse the purple reads as a solid sweep of colour.

Borders and rockeries. Use it at the front of mixed borders and between rocks, where the compact mound stays neat.

Pots and hanging baskets. The low, mounded habit suits patio pots and baskets, giving months of colour on a deck or balcony.

Growing Margarita Cool Purple Cape Daisy in Australia

Position and climate. Give it full sun for the most flowers, though part shade works. Heat is no problem, so it is at home in subtropical, warm temperate and Mediterranean gardens. In colder districts, grow it in a pot as seasonal colour.

Soil. Choose free-draining soil enriched with organic matter. Beyond that it is easygoing: most soils suit it, including seaside sand and alkaline ground.

Water and feed. Mulch it and water regularly for the first 12 weeks. Established plants cope with heat and dry spells, though a regular drink and feed while in flower stretches the season.

Pruning. Pinch off spent flowers regularly. This encourages a longer flowering season.

What to expect when it arrives

We sell Margarita Cool Purple Cape Daisy as tube stock. A tube is a young plant in an 80mm deep tube that establishes quickly, and it is the economical way to plant a large bed. Expect a few weeks of settling in warm weather, then a steady build into the mound of foliage that carries the flowers.

Plants are delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95. Every plant is covered by our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.

Plant care guides and related reading

• Browse our cape daisy and osteospermum range
• Plants for mass planting
• How to create a cottage garden in Australia
• Plants for balconies and containers

Common questions

How far apart should I plant it?

Plant 30cm apart for a dense mass planting. The plants spread to about 30cm each, so they touch and cover the soil quickly.

Does it flower all year?

It flowers from spring to autumn, and repeatedly for most of the year in sunny positions. Spent flowers removed regularly keep the display going longer.

Will it grow in a pot?

Yes. Its compact, mounding habit suits pots and hanging baskets. Use free-draining mix and feed regularly while it is in flower.