GAZANIAS

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 886, 1 February 1930, Page 34

GAZANIAS

For a hot, dry border or bed which is hard to keep beautiful In the summer there is nothing better than gazanias. They are low-growing perennials, need hardly any water, and the hotter the day the better they look. When well established they are liberally covered with handsome daisy-like flowers which stare brightly at the sun all day and close up at night. Gazanlas are asteraceous plants, natives of South Africa. They grow by straggling about the ground and soon present a carpet of narrow, dark green leaves which are light coloured underneath. The commonest gazania has bright orange-coloured flowers, with a narrow black ring round the centre, formed by the black base of the ray florets; this Is the variety known as Corona and is probably the most useful shade. It should be freely grown in gardens where great heat and dryness are encountered. The flowers often have stalks six Inches long and last a week in water; but they cannot be relied on for cut flowers, since they are bedding plants. There is a pretty yellow variety with purple centre known as Primrose Queen. The plants are rather expensive, costing about a shilling each, but they grow easily from pieces and clippings. They need care and attention at first, with reasonable quantities of manure and water; but when they have taken hold they almost look after themselves.