MENU

AskIFAS Powered by EDIS

Gazania x Harlequin Hybrids Harlequin Hybrids Gazania

Edward F. Gilman

Introduction

Gazania is a perennial grown as an annual that grows well in rock gardens or in other hot, dry areas (Figure 1). It forms a very low, ground-hugging ground cover, producing bright yellow, orange, or red, daisy-like flowers. The stripped petals set this group of hybrids apart from other gazanias. Flower sclose at night and on very cloudy days. Plants grow 6 to 12-inches tall with bluish foliage. Do not plant in the partial shade. Full day sun is required for healthy plants.
Figure 1. Harlequin hybrid gazania.
Figure 1.  Harlequin hybrid gazania.

 

General Information

Scientific name: Gazania x Harlequin Hybrids
Pronunciation: gay-ZAY-nee-uh
Common name(s): harlequin hybrid gazania
Family: Compositae
Plant type: ground cover; perennial; herbaceous
USDA hardiness zones: 8B through 11 (Figure 2)
Planting month for zone 8: Apr; May
Planting month for zone 9: Mar; Apr; May; Sep; Oct
Planting month for zone 10 and 11: Feb; Mar; Apr; May; Nov; Dec
Origin: not native to North America
Uses: ground cover; edging
Availablity: somewhat available, may have to go out of the region to find the plant
Figure 2. Shaded area represents potential planting range.
Figure 2.  Shaded area represents potential planting range.

Description

Height: .5 to 1 feet
Spread: 1 to 2 feet
Plant habit: round
Plant density: moderate
Growth rate: moderate
Texture: medium

Foliage

Leaf arrangement: most emerge from the soil, usually without a stem
Leaf type: simple
Leaf margin: lobed
Leaf shape: linear
Leaf venation: none, or difficult to see
Leaf type and persistence: deciduous
Leaf blade length: 4 to 8 inches
Leaf color: green
Fall color: not applicable
Fall characteristic: not applicable

Flower

Flower color: yellow; red; orange
Flower characteristic: year-round flowering

Fruit

Fruit shape: unknown
Fruit length: unknown
Fruit cover: unknown
Fruit color: unknown
Fruit characteristic: inconspicuous and not showy

Trunk and Branches

Trunk/bark/branches: not applicable
Current year stem/twig color: green
Current year stem/twig thickness: thin

Culture

Light requirement: plant grows in full sun
Soil tolerances: clay; sand; acidic; alkaline; loam
Drought tolerance: high
Soil salt tolerances: unknown
Plant spacing: 12 to 18 inches

Other

Roots: not applicable
Winter interest: no special winter interest
Outstanding plant: plant has outstanding ornamental features and could be planted more
Invasive potential: not known to be invasive
Pest resistance: long-term health usually not affected by pest

Use and Management

It is a good plant for erosion control in dry areas. It should be planted 12 to 18-inches apart to form a solid ground cover several months after planting. Good soil gives best growth but the plant tolerates poor, sandy soil. Provide excellent soil drainage when growing this plant in the eastern part of the US. Gazania requires less water than most annuals or perennials. Full sun is preferred, and the flowers do not open fully on wet or cloudy days. Extended wet weather or poorly drained soil can promote disease which can kill portions of the plant. Removing the old blossoms may increase the number of blooms produced.

Pests and Diseases

No pests or diseases are of major concern, but gazania can susceptible to root rot on wet or poorly drained soils.

Publication #FPS-227

Date: 10/14/2015

    RELATED TOPICS

    • Critical Issue: Agricultural and Food Systems
    Organism ID

    About this Publication

    This document is FPS-227, one of a series of the Environmental Horticulture Department, UF/IFAS Extension. Original publication date October 1999. Visit the EDIS website at https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu for the currently supported version of this publication.

    About the Authors

    Edward F. Gilman, professor, Environmental Horticulture Department, UF/IFAS Extension, Gainesville, FL 32611.

    Contacts

    • Gail Hansen de Chapman