Variegated Blue Daisy Bush

Variegated Blue Daisy Bush (Felicia amelloides 'Variegated') is a South African evergreen perennial, 50cm to 1m high and about 1m wide, with long slender stems and neat leaves striped with cream. Starry purple-blue daisies sit above the foliage. The plain green form is hugely popular, and this one adds cream-striped leaves for extra interest even when it is not in flower.

Why you'll love it

• Cream-striped leaves. The variegation keeps the plant interesting between flushes of flowers.
• Starry blue-purple daisies. Small, lilac-blue to purple daisies sit on long slender stems.
• Made for pots. It does well in pots and window boxes, where you can enjoy it close up and move it as the seasons change.
• Good for wildlife and mixed borders. It sits comfortably in wildlife gardens and mixed flower borders.
• Comes through a light frost. In free-draining soil it will come through a light frost.

Where it works best

Pots and window boxes. A pot is the best way to show off the foliage, and it lets you move the plant under cover when frost threatens.

Rockeries. Warm, free-draining pockets between rocks suit it, with chalky or sandy soil ideal.

Mixed flower borders. Plant 60cm apart at the front of a sunny border, where the striped leaves lighten darker neighbours.

Growing Variegated Blue Daisy Bush in Australia

Position and climate. It likes warm, dry climates and dislikes excess humidity. Very hot summers cause the plant to stop flowering until temperatures cool. In frosty areas treat it as an annual, or grow it in a pot you can shelter indoors over winter.

Soil. Chalky or sandy, free-draining soil suits it best. Good drainage matters most.

Water and feed. Mulch and water well in summer, which also helps it through the heat.

Pruning. Deadhead old flowers regularly to encourage further flowering. Beyond an occasional tidy-up, no pruning is needed.

What to expect when it arrives

We sell Variegated Blue Daisy Bush as tube stock, a young plant in an 80mm deep tube that establishes quickly. It arrives as a small, striped-leaved plant, and it grows on quickly in warm weather. Pot it up or plant it out in a sunny, well-drained spot and water it in.

Our Variegated Blue Daisy Bush tube stock comes from our grower and is not always available. When the grower has none, the tube shows as sold out on this page, and the notify button emails you the day it is back. 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

• Cape daisies and osteospermum
• Variegated plants
• Rockery plants
• Perennials for a cottage garden

Common questions

Why has it stopped flowering in midsummer?

Very hot summers cause it to stop flowering until temperatures cool. Keep it mulched and watered, and the flowers should return as the weather eases.

Will it grow in a humid climate?

It dislikes excess humidity and prefers warm, dry climates. In a humid garden, give it the best drainage you have and a pot is the safer choice.

How do I get more flowers?

Deadhead the old flowers so the plant keeps producing new ones, and water well through summer.