The Ultimate Guide to Cultivating Blue Marguerite Daisies in Your Garden

Visualize a bright spring day and you’ll see the exact shade of blue that the petals of Blue Marguerite Daisy exhibit. This plant, native to South Africa, adds an unexpected pop of authentic blue to borders, beds, and container gardens in residential landscapes. The sky-blue flowers of Blue Marguerite Daisy with yellow centers pairs elegantly with virtually anything in a garden. To achieve a soft, sophisticated look, combine it with white-flowering and silver-leafed plants, such as Dusty Miller, Sweet Alyssum, Lobelia, or Eucalyptus. For a high-contrast display, pair it with plants that have bold yellow or orange flowers like Moss Rose, Marigold, Million Bells, or Zinnia.

In regions with winters free of frost, Blue Marguerite Daisy thrives as a shrubby perennial that blooms throughout summer and fall. In colder areas of North America, it grows as an annual.

Blue Marguerite Daisy is a plant type that belongs to Felicia amelloides, commonly known as Blue Marguerite Daisy. It is an annual or perennial plant that requires part sun or full sun for ideal growth. Its height and width range between 1 to 3 feet, and its foliage color is blue-green. Its blooming season occurs in spring and summer. This plant is a low maintenance and good for containers. It belongs to zones 9, 10, and 11, and propagation can be done through stem cuttings.

To plant Blue Marguerite Daisy, cultivate lightweight and well-draining soil enriched with compost. Do not grow this plant in heavy clay. It thrives best in a garden bed or border that receives full sunlight. Plant transplants outdoors in spring after the last spring frost, setting them in the soil at the same depth as their containers, around 12 inches apart. If transplants are unavailable, grow Blue Marguerite Daisy from seed. Sow the seeds indoors approximately six weeks before the last expected frost, and keep them in a bright, warm location until they germinate in 7-14 days. Acclimatize the seedlings to life outdoors by exposing them to partial shade before full sun exposure.

This plant thrives in a sunny spot with at least six hours of direct sunlight daily. It does best in lightweight and well-draining soil and is not suitable for planting in heavy clay soils. Blue Marguerite Daisy blooms best in regions with cool and mild summers, making it an excellent choice for gardens in the Pacific Northwest and Northeast. The plant does not perform well in areas with high humidity or regular temperatures above 85°F. The plant does not require any fertilizer except organic matter or compost added during planting time. Deadheading this plant encourages more blooming, and it does not require pruning.

Blue Marguerite Daisy is an excellent container plant for patios or other sitting areas. Choose a container with proper drainage and fill it with potting soil. Pair Blue Marguerite Daisy with other plants that prefer similar growing conditions, and enjoy them throughout summer. Repotting is unnecessary since container plants will die in colder areas unless moved inside, and new transplants can be planted in spring.

This plant is mostly pest-free, although common garden pests like aphids, spider mites, and thrips may feed on it. Use insecticidal soap or neem oil to control these pests when detecting early infestations. Root rot may arise from growing this plant in overly moist soil. Avoid overwatering and ensure that it grows in well-draining soil to prevent root rot.

In late summer, take cuttings from stem tips and dip in rooting hormone before setting into moist potting soil. Keep the potting soil moist and wait for new growth to indicate that the cutting has rooted before overwintering the plants indoors. In spring, plant them outdoors after a hardening-off period.

Blue Marguerite Daisy comes in various types, including Variegated Blue Marguerite Daisy, which possesses blue daisies and green and white variegated leaves. It usually blooms from June through October and grows to be 1-3 feet high and wide. This plant is a tender perennial that can withstand lower temperatures (to 23°F), allowing it to winter over in more areas than its cousin. Calibrachoa makes an excellent companion plant for Blue Marguerite Daisy.

For a visually interesting potted plant display, consider combining Calibrachoa, which will cascade over the container’s edge, with blue marguerite that stands tall in the center. You may want to select a hue that complements or contrasts with the chosen plants to enhance the overall appeal of the arrangement. Another option to explore is Dichondra, which also cascades nicely over the pot’s edge.

Dan Piassick suggests an ideal combination of dichondra and blue marguerite for a beautiful container planting that will maintain its stunning appearance for several months. Additionally, he recommends the French marigold as another excellent option.

Enhance the vibrant yellow center of the blue marguerite by planting some marigolds nearby, which require minimal effort to cultivate.