Power Packed Blue Cape Daisy

Power Packed Blue Cape Daisy (Osteospermum ecklonis 'Power Packed Blue') is a low, mounding South African daisy that grows about 30cm tall and spreads to 80cm wide. Large lilac-blue flowers open again and again from spring to autumn, and for much of the year in a sunny, mild spot. It spreads wider than most cape daisies, so it fills a pot or bed quickly.

Why you'll love it

• Big lilac-blue flowers. A gentle purple-blue, large and open, that sits easily beside white, yellow or silver foliage.
• Wide spreading. At about 80cm across it covers more ground than most cape daisies, so fewer plants fill a bed.
• Flowers from a small plant. Cape daisies flower from tube stock size, which gives you colour in the first season.
• Tough once settled. It is heat and drought tolerant once established, and happy in seaside and alkaline soils.
• Flexible. It works as groundcover, in rockeries and borders, in cottage gardens, in pots and in hanging baskets.

Where it works best

Mass planting and groundcover. Plant 60cm apart for a dense mass that knits together in a season or two. The low mounds suppress weeds and give a sweep of blue.

Rockeries and borders. Tuck plants into rockery pockets or along a sunny path edge, where the mounds can soften hard lines.

Pots and hanging baskets. Its spreading habit fills a container quickly and spills over the rim. Use a free-draining potting mix and a sunny position.

Growing Power Packed Blue Cape Daisy in Australia

Position and climate. Full sun to part shade, with the heaviest flowering in full sun. It handles heat well and suits warm temperate, subtropical and Mediterranean gardens. In frosty districts plant after the last frost and choose a sheltered spot.

Soil. Free-draining soil rich in organic matter. It tolerates most soil types, including seaside and alkaline soils, so the main thing to avoid is ground that stays wet.

Water and feed. Mulch and water regularly until established, usually around 12 weeks. After that it copes with heat and dry spells, though a drink in a long dry period keeps the flowers coming.

Pruning. Remove spent flowers regularly to encourage a longer flowering season. A light trim after the main flush keeps the mounds neat.

What to expect when it arrives

We sell Power Packed Blue as tube stock, a young plant in an 80mm deep tube that establishes quickly, and in 140mm pots in packs of 10. Tube stock comes from our grower and is not always available. The tube shows as sold out when the grower has none, and the notify button on the page emails you the day it is back. Plants arrive small and settle in quickly, with flowers building as they spread.

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 all cape daisies and osteospermum
• More groundcover plants
• Perennial plants for a cottage garden
• Rockery plants for sunny spots

Common questions

How far apart should I plant it?

Plant 60cm apart for a dense groundcover or mass planting. Planting closer only wastes plants, because each one spreads to about 80cm.

Do I need to deadhead?

It is worth doing. Taking off spent flowers regularly encourages a longer flowering season and keeps the mounds neat.

Will it cope with a seaside garden?

Yes. It tolerates seaside conditions and alkaline soil, and it is heat and drought tolerant once established.