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GENERAL
Origin
:
Mediterranean,
sub-tropical
Vigour
:
normal growth
rate
Humidity
:
very arid, semi-
arid, semi-humid,
very humid
Propagation :
sowing and
pricking out,
cuttings, division
Maintenance :
low
CONDITIONS
Urban climate :
resistant
Dessication :
vulnerable
Stagnant water :
vulnerable
Irrigation
:
medium
Salinity/ppm :
moderate (2500
ppm)
Hardiness
:
-6°C
SHAPE
Type
:
perennial
Height
:
0.2 m-0.4 m
Spread
:
0.4 m-0.7 m
Foliage
:
evergreen
FLOWER
Colour
:
bright yellow
Size
:
3 cm - 4 cm
Period
:
March - June
FRUIT
Type of fruit :
achene
Fruit size
:
0.3 cm
The Trailing Gazania does not present as spectacular flowers as its relatives, but still makes one of
the most useful perennials to have. It grows wild in South Africa and Mozambique; in Arriyadh,
it is a very dependable groundcover. In parks and large gardens with adverse growing conditions
such as dry, exposed sites, it performs better than other groundcovers. It grows prostrate and
blankets the bare ground fairly quickly. The glabrous leaves are long and slender, appearing green
in light shade, but somewhat silvery if fully exposed to sunlight. They persist in winter and wi-
thstand low temperatures and even light frosts, but they sometimes look poor in scorching heat.
Drought is tolerated, but the plants appreciate occasional watering. In spring and summer, bright
yellow flowers with centres in the same colour appear, measuring about 3 to 4 cm across. Remo-
ving spent flowers results in extra inflorescences. They close during the night and do not open
on overcast days. After pollination, they develop fuzzy, white seeds. These readily germinate, but
offspring may also be achieved by cuttings or division, when the stems root where they touch the
soil. This Gazania is the ideal plant to grow over dry banks or to cascade over walls or edges of
tubs. It may be clipped to shape, creating cutwork parterres. It is generally pest-free and resists
diseases if good air circulation is possible. Flowers close if water is applied by sprinklers. On ap-
propriate sites, the Trailing Gazania is almost maintenance-free.
157
Gazania rigens var. uniflora,
Asteraceae
Trailing Gazania