I must say I have been a victim of prejudice, my own. For years I wrote off Osteospermums as the common freeway daisy. Of course the diversity of South African composites is vast. But there really wasn't much choice until the last few years. And yes there were some intriguing cultivars but I resisted them for their resemblance to the osteos of the past. Last year I gave in when a sad looking 4" plant came into my possession.
The plant was Osteopermum 'Nuanza Copper', I had seen the flowers many times and loved the muted purple and copper tones. Some of the flowers will be coppery then finishing purple. It didn't do much at all last year. But about two weeks ago it sprung into action. I will tell you with full disclosure that the actual habit of the plant is poor, weak and unbalanced. But if you can put up with that then you will enjoy the blooms.
Today I bought several plants of different cultivars in the same purple and orange tones. We'll see how they do as well.
Today I bought several plants of different cultivars in the same purple and orange tones. We'll see how they do as well.
That's so funny about plant prejudices and snobbery. Christopher Lloyd praised a pale yellow osteospermum cultivar 'Buttermilk,' which I mail-ordered, then realized pale yellow types were common and to be found at most of our local nurseries. Lloyd also admired a fuchsia pink and green colored gazania...I'd never looked at gazanias/freeway daisies before. These coppery osteos are great, the coppier the better.
ReplyDeleteI know. I am open though, even if it sometimes hurts
ReplyDeleteThanks Dustin, honesty on 2 fronts.
ReplyDelete