Blue Daisy Felicia Friends Azure Blue (Friends Series)

👤 Non-toxic to humans

🐾 Non-toxic to pets

🌸 Blooming

🍪 Not edible

‍🌱 Easy-care

ABOUT

The Felicia Friends Azure Blue, part of the Friends Series, is a charming plant with a display of vibrant blue flowers that boast bright yellow centers which add a touch of contrast and interest. Its overall appearance is lush and bushy, creating a dense mat of foliage. The leaves of this cultivar are green, with a somewhat glossy finish, typically shaped in a way that frames the cheerful blooms nicely. The flowers themselves are daisy-like in shape, featuring multiple delicate petals radiating around the central disc which is a sunny yellow hue. The vivid blue petals are a standout feature, making the plant a popular choice for gardeners looking to add a splash of color to their garden palette. They are often described as having a sky-blue tone, which can vary in intensity depending on the light conditions but remain distinctly blue and eye-catching. This plant blooms prolifically, with the potential to keep producing flowers for an extended period under the right conditions, often from spring through to fall. Felicia Friends Azure Blue is also noted for its resilience and ability to thrive in various conditions, making it a versatile choice for planting in different garden settings. It has a compact, mounding habit that creates a tidy, rounded appearance, which is often used to enhance the aesthetics of garden borders, hanging baskets, or as part of a mixed container display. Its ability to produce a multitude of flowers over a long season makes it an enduring centerpiece in any ornamental garden space.

Plant Info

Care

Common Problems

About this plant

Names
- Synonyms
  Blue Daisy, Blue Marguerite, Cape Aster, Kingfisher Daisy
- Common names
  Felicia Amelloides Azure Blue
Toxicity
- To humans
  I could not find specific information about the toxicity of "Felicia" or Blue Marguerite to humans. This suggests that the plant is not commonly known to be toxic. However, as with any plant, some individuals may experience allergic reactions or other forms of sensitivity. It's always safe to practice caution and keep plants out of reach of children who might accidentally ingest them.
- To pets
  The Blue Marguerite is not listed as toxic to pets by major organizations such as the ASPCA. However, ingestion of any plant material could potentially cause mild gastrointestinal upset in some pets due to the novelty and fiber content. It's always wise to prevent your pets from eating plants that are not confirmed to be safe for them. If your pet consumes any part of a Blue Marguerite and shows signs of distress, contact your veterinarian.
Characteristics
- Life cycle
  Perennials
- Foliage type
  Evergreen
- Color of leaves
  Green
- Flower color
  Blue
- Height
  1-1.5 feet (30-45 cm)
- Spread
  1-2 feet (30-60 cm)
- Plant type
  Herb
- Hardiness zones
  9
- Native area
  South Africa

Benefits

General Benefits
- Attractive Flowering: The Blue Daisy displays a profusion of bright blue flowers with yellow centers, adding vibrant color to any garden or landscape.
- Drought Tolerance: Once established, the Blue Daisy is relatively drought-resistant, making it a good choice for water-wise gardens.
- Low Maintenance: This plant generally requires minimal care beyond occasional watering and deadheading to promote further blooming.
- Pollinator Friendly: The bright flowers attract a variety of pollinators, including bees and butterflies, which are beneficial for the environment.
- Extended Blooming Season: The Blue Daisy has a long flowering period, often from spring through to autumn, providing long-lasting visual interest.
- Compact Growth Habit: Its mounded growth habit makes it suitable for small gardens, borders, and containers.
- Fast-Growing: The Blue Daisy grows quickly, allowing gardeners to establish and enjoy the plants within a relatively short period.
- Easy to Propagate: It can be easily propagated through cuttings, allowing gardeners to expand their collection without additional cost.
- Versatility: Suitable for a variety of garden styles, including cottage gardens, rockeries, and traditional flower beds.
- Mild Fragrance: Some varieties, including the Blue Daisy, may have a subtle scent that can add another sensory dimension to a garden or bouquet.
Medical Properties
This plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying Qualities
This plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses
- Dye Production: The deep blue flowers of the Felicia plant can be used to create a natural dye for fabric or crafting projects.
- Ink Making: Similarly, the petals can be crushed and mixed with solvents to make a natural blue ink for art or calligraphy.
- Edible Decorations: The flowers are edible and can be used to add a splash of color to salads or as an elegant garnish on desserts.
- Photography Prop: Its vibrant blue flowers make Felicia a popular choice among photographers looking for a pop of color in garden photography.
- Teaching Tool: The plant can be used in educational settings to teach about pollination, as it attracts bees and butterflies.
- Floristry: Besides its common use in gardens, Felicia is used in floral arrangements for its appealing blue hue and long-lasting freshness.
- Biodegradable Confetti: The petals of Felicia can be dried and used as biodegradable confetti for eco-friendly celebrations.
- Bookmarks: Pressed Felicia flowers can be used to make unique and decorative bookmarks.
- Garden Themed Crafts: Dried Felicia flowers can be used in crafting, such as making resin jewelry, ornaments, or in scrapbooking.
- Fish Tank Decoration: After thorough research about compatibility and safety, the flowers could potentially be used as a natural decorative element in aquariums.

Interesting Facts

Feng Shui
The Felicia plant is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign Compitability
The Felicia plant is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism
- Cherished Friendship: Felicia, also known as Kingfisher Daisy, often symbolizes strong bonds between friends due to its name being associated with friendships and its vibrant, friendly appearance.
- Optimism and Positivity: The bright blue of the Kingfisher Daisy reflects a sense of positivity and can be seen as a symbol for maintaining a positive outlook on life.
- Perseverance: Daisies, in general, are hardy plants that can thrive in challenging conditions, making the Kingfisher Daisy a symbol for the ability to endure and flourish despite obstacles.
- Innocence and Purity: Daisies are often associated with innocence, and the Kingfisher Daisy may carry this symbolism, reflecting simplicity and a pure, untainted approach to life.
- Beauty in Diversity: The striking blue hue of this variety of daisy can represent the beauty found in diversity and the uniqueness of each individual within a community.

💧

Every 1-2 weeks

Water

☀️

10000 - 20000 Lux

Light

💦️

Humidity

🪴

Every year

Repotting

🌱️

Spring-Summer

Propogation

✂️️

As needed

Pruning

Water
The Blue Marguerite Daisy should be watered thoroughly, allowing the topsoil to dry out slightly between waterings. Typically, this means watering once every week, but this can vary depending on the climate and soil conditions. Ensure the plant receives about 1 gallon of water each time to saturate the root zone. Overwatering or allowing the plant to sit in water can lead to root rot, so proper drainage is essential. During the peak of summer, you may need to water more frequently, especially if the plant is in a container.
Light
Blue Marguerite Daisies thrive in full sunlight and should be placed in a location where they receive at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight daily. They can tolerate some light shade, but too much shade can lead to fewer blooms and leggy growth. A south-facing garden or window is ideal for this plant to ensure it gets sufficient light throughout the day.
Temperature
Blue Marguerite Daisies prefer moderate to warm temperatures, thriving ideally between 60°F and 75°F. They can tolerate temperatures as low as 50°F but should be protected from frost, which can damage the plant. They are not tolerant of extreme heat either; prolonged exposure to temperatures above 85°F may stress the plant, leading to reduced flowering.
Pruning
Pruning Blue Marguerite Daisies is important to encourage bushier growth and more blooms. Deadhead spent flowers regularly to promote continuous blooming throughout the season. Perform more substantial pruning in early spring or after the main flowering flush to rejuvenate the plant and maintain its shape. Cut back up to one-third of the plant's height, focusing on removing any dead or damaged stems.
Cleaning
As needed
Soil
The Blue Daisy prefers a well-draining soil mix with a slightly acidic to neutral pH of 6.0-7.0. A good recipe would be a mix of potting soil, peat, and perlite or sand to ensure proper drainage.
Repotting
The Blue Daisy should be repotted every 1-2 years to refresh the soil and accommodate root growth. Careful not to disturb the roots too much during the process.
Humidity & Misting
The Blue Daisy thrives best in moderate humidity levels. Aim for a humidity level around 40-50%.
Suitable locations
- Indoor
  Keep Blue Daisy in bright, indirect light indoors.
- Outdoor
  Plant Blue Daisy in full sun to partial shade outdoors.
- Hardiness zone
  9-11 USDA
Life cycle
Felicia amelloides, known as the blue marguerite or blue daisy, begins its life cycle when seeds germinate, typically in the spring when temperatures are favorable for growth. The seedlings quickly develop into small rosettes with rudimentary leaves, and as they mature, develop a more robust root system and foliage. During the vegetative stage, blue marguerite plants experience significant leaf and stem growth, eventually forming distinctive bushy mounds. The flowering stage often follows, with the plants producing their characteristic bright blue daisy-like flowers with yellow centers throughout the growing season, particularly in summer. After pollination, flowers will develop into seed heads, if not deadheaded, which eventually dry out and release seeds, completing the reproductive cycle. If left unattended in favorable conditions, Felicia amelloides may self-seed, or it may be propagated through cuttings to maintain desirable plant characteristics.
Propogation
- Propogation time
  Spring-Summer
- Propogation: The most popular method of propagation for the Felicia amelloides, commonly known as the Blue Daisy or Blue Marguerite, is through cuttings. This is done by cutting a healthy stem of about 4 to 6 inches (10 to 15 cm) long, ideally during the late spring or early summer for the best rooting potential. The lower leaves of the cutting should be removed, and the cut end can be dipped in a rooting hormone powder to encourage root growth. Then, the cutting should be planted in a moist potting mix and kept in a warm, bright place out of direct sunlight. It's important to maintain the moisture of the soil without making it soggy. Roots typically develop within a few weeks, after which the new Blue Daisy plants can be transplanted into their final location.