Cobbitty daisy (Argyranthemum frutescens)
The Cobbitty daisy (Argyranthemum frutescens) offers prolific summer blooms in white, pink, or yellow. Hardy in Zones 10-11, this perennial is great for borders.
Complete Plant Information
Overview
The Cobbitty daisy (Argyranthemum frutescens) is cherished in many gardens for its mound-forming habit and continuous display of cheerful, daisy-like flowers. This tender perennial provides reliable seasonal color, making it an excellent addition to mixed plantings where bright, true daisy shapes are desired. Its foliage, which is deeply cut and aromatic when bruised, adds fine texture to the landscape.
As a native of the Canary Islands, Argyranthemum frutescens thrives best in warm conditions, typically grown as an annual outside of tropical climates. It forms bushy plants reaching two to three feet high and wide, offering visual impact in beds and containers throughout the growing season. Gardeners value the Cobbitty daisy for the ease with which it grows, provided it receives adequate sunlight.
While white flowers with yellow centers are common, cultivars offer variations in pinks and yellows, sometimes featuring attractive double blooms or blue-green foliage. For northern gardeners, propagating Argyranthemum frutescens via cuttings in late summer for overwintering indoors is a popular way to ensure its return the following year.
Fast Facts
- Plant Family: Asteraceae
- Plant Type: Herbaceous perennial
- Native Range: Canary Islands
- Hardiness Zones: USDA Zones 10-11
- Size at Maturity:
- Height: 2-3 ft
- Spread: 2-3 ft
- Bloom Time: Seasonal bloomer
- Bloom Description: Pink, yellow, white
- Sun Exposure: Full sun
- Water Needs: Medium
- Maintenance Level: Medium
How to Grow
Planting the Cobbitty daisy should occur after all danger of frost has passed when growing it as an annual, or anytime in Zones 10-11. Ensure the location offers full sun exposure, as insufficient light reduces flowering significantly. This plant adapts well to average soils, but excellent drainage is crucial for long-term health.
Water needs are medium; aim for consistently moist but not waterlogged soil, especially during hot summer spells. Fertilize sparingly with a balanced fertilizer according to package directions to support continuous blooming. To encourage the prolific flowering signature of Argyranthemum frutescens, regularly deadhead spent blossoms throughout the season.
For gardeners wishing to save their prized plants, take cuttings in late summer before frost threatens. These cuttings can be rooted and grown indoors over the winter, effectively treating the Cobbitty daisy as a tender perennial. In spring, these overwintered plants can be hardened off and replanted outdoors after the final frost date.
Landscape Uses
The structure and continuous flower production of Argyranthemum frutescens make it highly versatile. It excels when used to provide structure and trailing interest in large containers, pairing nicely with trailing petunias or upright geraniums. Use individual plants or groups of the Cobbitty daisy to define the edges of flower beds and borders.
When planting in borders, consider the need for full sun synchronization. Companions should share similar needs for medium water and well-drained soil. Because the flowers are daisy-like and generally bright, they pair well with dark-leaved foliage plants or softer pastels for contrast.
Though often grown as a standout annual feature, mass plantings of the Cobbitty daisy create a lush, informal hedge effect in frost-free environments where it functions as a subshrub. Its reliable color offers practical design value from spring through fall.
Standout Features
Flower Qualities
- Showy
Noteworthy Characteristics
Argyranthemum frutescens, commonly called marguerite daisy, is a somewhat short-lived, tender perennial or subshrub that produces daisy-like white flowers (2.5” diameter) with yellow center disks on bushy plants growing 2-3’ tall and as wide. Pink, yellow and white cultivars, some with double flowers and/or blue green foliage, are available, offering variety beyond the standard form. Genus name comes from Greek meaning silvery flower, while the specific epithet means shrubby or bushy.
Tolerances
Potential Problems
This plant generally exhibits no serious insect or disease problems under proper growing conditions. Maintaining good air circulation by ensuring plants are spaced adequately helps prevent potential fungal issues, especially in humid climates. Monitor for common garden pests, but severe infestations are rare for established Argyranthemum frutescens.
Frequently Asked Questions
What hardiness zones is Cobbitty daisy suitable for?
The Cobbitty daisy (Argyranthemum frutescens) is winter hardy only in USDA Zones 10 and 11. In cooler regions, it must be treated as a summer annual or brought indoors for overwintering.
How large does Cobbitty daisy grow?
This plant typically matures to a height and spread between 2 to 3 feet, forming a bushy, rounded shape ideal for mid-border placement.
What sun exposure does Argyranthemum frutescens need?
Argyranthemum frutescens requires full sun to achieve its best flowering performance and maintain a compact, bushy habit throughout the season.
When does Cobbitty daisy bloom?
The Cobbitty daisy is a seasonal bloomer, typically producing lovely flowers described as pink, yellow, or white throughout the summer months, though heavy heat may slow production temporarily.
Conclusion
The Cobbitty daisy is a vibrant, easy-to-manage plant offering reliable, daisy-style blooms perfect for filling out borders and large containers during the warm season. Its attractive, bushy structure and color choices ensure it remains a garden favorite wherever it is grown optimally. Before planting, confirm your location falls within USDA Zones 10-11, or plan ahead to save cuttings of your favorite Argyranthemum frutescens variety for next year.
Companion Planting
When selecting companions for Cobbitty daisy, focus on other sun-loving plants that prefer medium water and well-drained conditions. Plants that offer contrasting textures work particularly well against the fine, deeply cut leaves of Argyranthemum frutescens. Consider pairing it with silvery foliage plants like Dusty Miller (Senecio cineraria) for a complementary color scheme, or use deep purple or blue annuals like calibrachoa or salvia to make the white and yellow daisies pop.
Propagation Tips
While cultivars of Argyranthemum frutescens generally do not breed true from seed, propagation via cuttings is simple and highly recommended for preserving favored varieties. Take stem tips, approximately three to four inches long, in late summer or early fall before temperatures drop significantly. Remove the lower leaves and place the cuttings in a light, airy rooting mix, keeping them consistently moist and protected from cold to encourage root development for overwintering indoors.
