Botanical family: Asteraceae

Montanoa leucantha, Montanoa arborescens, Montanoa guatemalensis

Multi-stemmed shrub 7-10 feet high and wide. Slightly fragrant 1½ inch single white daisies with yellow centers. They are produced in such abundance.

Native to cloud forests, so it prefers moderate temperatures. Plant in full sun and water occasionally to regularly â€" can be somewhat drought tolerant once established but looks much better with irrigation. Some leaf drop with frost but no stem damage.

Blooms from Fall through late Winter.

Mutisia acuminata

Oldenburgia grandis

USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map

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Oldenburgia grandis is a shrub or small, gnarled tree. The emergent leaves are densely and completely felted with white hair. The flower-heads are borne on long, stout, velvety white stems (peduncles), which emerge from the centre of the rosette of leaves. Each flower-head resembles a giant thistle with its short, wide, purple brush covered thickly with velvety white hairs.

Olearia phlogopappa

Olearia phlogopappa is a hardy shrub for well drained, moist soils in full sun or semi shade and can be very spectacular in flower. The greyish green foliage is variable over the range of the species but leaves are typically oblong or narrow elliptical in shape, and often with a dusty appearance on the upper surface. The well-displayed, daisy flower heads may be white, pink or mauve.

Osteospermum sp.

If you are looking to add some color to your garden, the Osteospermum sp. (Trailing African Daisy) is an excellent choice. Native to Southern Africa, this groundcover and low-growing small plant thrives in full sun and moderate water conditions. This small plant grows to a maximum of two to five feet and can be grown in USDA zones 9-11. With its daisy-like blooms coming in a variety of shades, including pink, white and off-white, blue, lavender and purple, and yellow and orange, you can create a colorful and vibrant display. Furthermore, the African Daisy is attractive to butterflies and hummingbirds, adding to the overall beauty of your garden.

The Trailing African Daisy is easy to look after and rarely suffers from pests or diseases. It is best suited for covering large open areas of level or sloping ground and grows to a maximum of two to five feet. It prefers rich soil and full sun, and established plants can cope with droughts. As well as this, the long, trailing stems of the African Daisy quickly spread across the soil, creating a beautiful carpet with leaves 1 to 2 inches long. This plant can also be grown in retaining walls or containers, and offers a graceful draping effect.

For those living in colder regions, the African Daisy does not require much maintenance and can easily be grown in a pot. Be sure to pot it in a rich, well-drained soil and place it in a sunny spot. Ensure the pot is well-watered throughout the growing season, taking extra care that it does not dry out. Apply an organic fertilizer once during the season, giving the plant the nutrients required for flower production. If grown in a pot, the African Daisy can be brought indoors for winter and placed near a sunny window.

Ozothamnus diosmifolius, Helichrysum diosmifolium

Sago Flower is usually a small, perennial woody shrub to about 1.5 metres high but is sometimes larger. The leaves are small, linear in shape to about 15 mm long. The small flowers occur in clusters of 20 to 100 at the ends of the branches and are usually white but forms in varying shades of pink are also known. Sago Flower is drought tolerant when mature. It is adaptable to most well drained soils and will grow in sun or partial shade. The pink forms tend to fade quickly in full sun. The species is tolerant of at least moderate frost.

Pachystegia insignis, Olearia insignis

Pachystegia insignis is a small endemic shrub of Marlborough, New Zealand. Commonly known as Marlborough Rock Daisy, the plant is a perfect choice for seaside gardens, as it is very salt tolerant. A Pachystegia insignis will grow up to 2 to 5 ft tall and features oblong, leathery leaves. The leaves range from light to deep green, depending on the time of year. A sunny site with regular watering is best for this small plant, in order for it to flourish and rewards the gardener with beautiful white and off-white flowers. While the plant will survive light frost, it is best grown in USDA Zone 8-10.

In cold regions, Pachystegia insignis is best grown in a pot and brought indoors on colder nights. A well-draining potting mix that is not too heavy is best, with a generous amount of organic material. Watering should be done at least twice a week - more frequent in dry and hot weather. A regular application of fertilizer during the growing season will ensure the health of the plant. Pruning can be done in early spring to keep the shrub neat and shapely.

With the right care, a Pachystegia insignis is a beautiful addition to the garden in summers. The plant is a great choice to decorate the garden with its white and off-white flowers, and its salt tolerance makes it an ideal addition to seaside gardens.

Pericallis x hybrida, Senecio cruentus, Senecio x hybrida

Pericallis x hybrida (Florist's Cineraria) is a small shrub, typically growing to a height up to 2 feet, native to the Canary Islands. Notable for its deep green foliage and stunning multi-hued blooms, this showy plant produces a bouquet of bright flowers in pink, purple, blue, and pastel shades. Many of the blooms also flouresce and some are bi-colored. The blooms measure 2 inches in diameter and appear in profusion from spring to early fall.

To cultivate a steady bloom of vibrant blooms, regular watering and a light application of fertilizer at the start of the growing season are necessary. Pericallis x hybrida can be grown in both gardens and planters, making it suitable for a variety of needs. For gardeners living in colder climates, it can be grown in containers that are brought indoors over the winter. When planting, cover the container with 1 to 2 inches of a moisture-retaining material such as bark or straw, and cut back the plants after flowering.

Although Pericallis x hybrida is ethno-medicinally beneficial, caution is advised when growing it as the plant can be considered invasive in some parts of the United States. Therefore, avoid allowing the plant to spread to natural areas. Seeds sown in early spring will take about 4 months to produce a colorful crop of blooms, with plants typically discarded after flowering is finished.

Pluchea odorata

Pluchea can grow as an annual or perennial, depending on winter temperatures and the amount of summer water. It inhabits wetlands and other coastal habitats and moist inland areas, often in saline substrates. Pluchea odorata odorata tolerates alkaline soil, salt and seasonal flooding. The entire plant is dotted with glands that emit a wonderful herbal-fruity scent when touched, even dry winter leaves that persist until spring - hence its common name.One of the best features of Sweetscent is its colors. The foliage is a pale green pastel. Contrast this with the pink-purple flowers.

Pseudogynoxys chenopodioides, Senecio confusus

A great plant for beginners! Very fast growing, drought resistant, seldom bothered by pests and minimum care is rewarded with impressive floral displays! This plant is attractive to bees, butterflies and birds. It is a fairly rampant, warm climate climber with thick evergreen leaves which deep green color provides a rich background for the brilliant flowers. It covers itself in brilliant bright orange daisy-like flowers about 1 inch in diameter, borne in small clusters. See Article about Mexican Flame Vine