Arctotis Jaffa Ice Seeds - African Daisy

'Jaffa Ice' is an eye-catching variety of Arcotis fastuosum, commonly known as African Daisy. It produces brilliant orange and white inflorescences punctuated with a large, dark, contrasting ring and central disc. Depending on the climate and sowing date, Arctotis has an exceptionally long flowering period, displaying a profusion of colourful blooms over attractive greyish-green leaves from early summer until the first frosts. This tender perennial is often grown as an annual in colder climates. It is a marvellous choice for borders, rock gardens and sunny window boxes. It thrives in well-drained soil, preferably in full sunshine.

Venedium fastuosum or Actotis fastuosum is a herbaceous perennial plant of the Asteraceae family. It is native to Cape Town, South Africa, hence the common names African Daisy or Cape Daisy. In colder climates, it is grown as an annual as it flowers in its first year. Arctotis is an excellent ground cover plant, a single plant can be enough to cover an entire square metre of soil. 'Jaffa Ice' forms a 60-cm-tall clump of hollow, ridged, pubescent stems. The deeply lobed, dark green foliage in borne fairly low down on the stem. It is covered with fine white down which gives the leaves an attractive bluish, silvery sheen; during mild winters, it is semi-evergreen. The flowering period generally begins 10 weeks after sowing, from June-July to September-October. In milder climates, it is possible to sow Arctotis outdoors in the autumn for blooms as early as March-April the following year. The large, 10 cm blooms appear over the foliage. They are made up of brilliant white or orange petals with a contrasting dark base, organised around a purplish black central disc. They are light-sensitive, meaning that they close at night or during dull, overcast weather. The pollinated blooms give way to seeds which stay viable for 2 or 3 years.

Arctotis 'Jaffa Ice' is a tough, undemanding perennial plant that tolerates sea spray and hot, dry summers. It is a valuable plant for seaside gardens and dry gardens and will perform well in all types of soil providing it's not waterlogged. Combine it with Gerberas, Felicia and Dyer’s Chamomile in rock gardens or up dry slopes, or use it to add an exotic touch to mixed borders. For lush blooms, make sure to provide it with plenty of sun. African Daisies also grow well in pots and make excellent cut flowers.