Xela's Garden

Swan River Daisy [V]

Planted 04.09 Vistabile hanging basket
Sown 04.11
Bought 03.09 Yarnton Nurseries,for 69p per plant

Type: Annual
Water: moderate
Zone: Sun: full sun to part shade
Height: 6-8" Soil: rich, moist, well-drained
Starting: Sow outdoors in early spring, or indoors 6 weeks before last frost.
Growing: Doesn't have any special requirements, except light and adequate watering in hot weather. Prefers cooler weather.
Etymology: brachycome = 'short hair'; iberidifolia = 'leaves like the iberis'
[Source: www.gardenerspath.com/plantguide/brachycome.html ]

Brachycome (Brachycome iberidifolia), or swan river daisy, is a care-free annual that forms a cloud of soft color. It adds a touch of whimsy to the garden. Dozens of beautiful, dainty, 1 inch (2.5 cm) flowers appear all at one time, most often in a light violet hue, each with a canary yellow center rimmed in white. The cheerful little pinwheels form at the ends of the stalks and are held above pale green, feathery foliage, which creates a delicate interplay of texture and shape in the garden.

The cool flower color makes brachycome a pretty companion to any plant with pink, purple, violet, white or yellow flowers. The plant is a handsome complement to verbena and coreopsis and forms an interesting contrast with the broad leaves of sweet potato vine. Its tidy, mounding growth habit is welcome toward the front of the border or as an edging. Brachycome is also a good choice for filling in around tall, leggy plants and carpeting bare spots. In a container or window box, brachycome sends its short, sprawling stems cascading downward over the rim, showering flowers that are 6 to 8 inches (15.2 to 20.3 cm) in diameter over the sides.
[Source: http://home.howstuffworks.com/tips-for-growing-brachycome-in-your-garden.htm ]

Photos of this plant

Reminders for this plant

Due about 14 years ago:

Find seeds

Due about 13 years ago:

Sow indoors

Sow late winter to spring at 18-21C (65-70F) in a good seed compost just covering the seed with compost. Keep soil damp but not wet, sealing in a polythene bag after sowing is helpful. Germination usually takes 14-21 days.

Prick out

When seedlings are large enough to handle, transplant and grow on in cooler conditions. Gradually acclimatise to outdoor conditions for 10-15 days before planting out after all risk of frost 23cm (9in) apart in full sun in ordinary well drained soil. For summer flowering pot plants, transplant the seedlings into 7.5cm (3in) pots, grow cool, well ventilated and water freely.

Due almost 13 years ago:

Acclimatise

Gradually acclimatise to outdoor conditions for 10-15 days before planting out after all risk of frost 23cm (9in) apart in full sun in ordinary well drained soil. For summer flowering pot plants, transplant the seedlings into 7.5cm (3in) pots, grow cool, well ventilated and water freely.

Due about 12 years ago:

Sow indoors

Prick out

When seedlings are large enough to handle, transplant and grow on in cooler conditions. .

Due almost 12 years ago:

Acclimatise

Gradually acclimatise to outdoor conditions for 10-15 days before planting ... see previous reminders.

Due about 11 years ago:

Sow indoors

Sow late winter to spring at 18-21C (65-70F) ... see previous notes

Transplant

When seedlings are large enough to handle, transplant and grow on in cooler conditions.
For summer flowering pot plants ... see previous notes

Acclimatise