Marguerite Madeira Double White Argyranthemum Madeira Double White = 'Ohmadcama' (PBR) (Madeira Series) (d)
ABOUT
[Madeira Double White] is a herbaceous annual with fine-texured leaves and masses of white daisy-like flowers with yellow centres
About this plant
- Names
Synonyms
Madeira Crested Marguerite, Double White Marguerite Daisy.
Common names
Argyranthemum Madeira Double White = 'Ohmadcama' (PBR) (Madeira Series) (d).
- Characteristics
Life cycle
Perennials
Foliage type
Evergreen
Color of leaves
Green
Flower color
White
Height
1-2 feet (30-60 cm)
Spread
1-2 feet (30-60 cm)
Plant type
Shrub
Hardiness zones
9
Native area
Canary Islands
Benefits
- General Benefits
- Attractive Aesthetics: Argyranthemum Madeira Double White features double white flowers that add beauty and elegance to gardens and landscapes.
- Extended Blooming Season: Known for its long blooming period from spring through to autumn, offering continuous visual interest.
- Drought Tolerance: Once established, it's relatively tolerant of drought, making it suitable for drier climates or water-wise gardens.
- Pollinator Friendly: Attracts butterflies, bees, and other beneficial insects, supporting biodiversity and ecological health.
- Low Maintenance: This variety typically requires minimal care beyond occasional deadheading and watering, making it an easy choice for novice and experienced gardeners alike.
- Versatile Planting Options: Suitable for use in borders, pots, and hanging baskets, offering flexibility in garden design and space utilization.
- Fast Growth: The plant grows quickly, allowing gardeners to enjoy its full splendor within a short period after planting.
- Compact Size: Its moderate size makes it an excellent choice for small gardens or as part of mixed floral displays in larger landscapes.
- 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
- Photography Prop: The striking double white flowers of the Madeira Double White can be used as a beautiful background or accent in macro and portrait photography.
- Edible Garnishes: While not commonly known for culinary use, the petals of the Madeira Double White, if confirmed to be non-toxic, can be used to add a decorative touch to salads or desserts.
- Handmade Paper Making: The petals and leaves can be incorporated into handmade paper for a unique texture and appearance.
- Artistic Inspiration: Artists may use the Madeira Double White as a subject in paintings, drawings, or other artistic representations.
- Craft Projects: Dried flowers can be used in craft projects, such as in making natural jewelry or decorative wreaths.
- Plant Dye: The petals could potentially be used to produce a natural dye for fabrics or art projects.
- Special Events: The plant can be used as a living decoration in weddings or other celebratory events thanks to its elegant blooms.
- Educational Tool: The plant can be used to teach botany and horticulture, demonstrating plant growth, flower structure, and gardening techniques.
- Memorial Plantings: The pure white flowers can be planted in memory gardens or used in remembrance ceremonies as a symbol of peace and tranquility.
- Ice Cubes: Petals can be frozen in ice cubes to create an ornamental element in drinks for fancy events or gatherings, provided they are safe for consumption.
Interesting Facts
- Feng Shui
The Marguerite daisy is not used in Feng Shui practice.
- Zodiac Sign Compitability
The Marguerite daisy is not used in astrology practice.
- Plant Symbolism
- Purity: The white color of Marguerite Daisy symbolizes purity and innocence, often used in ceremonies that emphasize new beginnings or cleansing.
- Cheerfulness: Marguerite Daisies are bright and cheerful flowers, transmitting positivity and joy whenever they're presented or planted.
- Persistence: Daisies are hardy and can grow in challenging environments, thus they symbolize persistence and the ability to thrive in adversity.
- Peace: White flowers, including Marguerite Daisies, are commonly associated with peace and tranquility, making them ideal for soothing spaces or to promote calmness.
- Innocence: Connected to purity, the innocence associated with Marguerite Daisies makes them perfect for conveying a sense of simplicity and guilelessness.
- Beauty: Marguerite Daisies have a classic beauty, which symbolizes natural elegance and the simple charm of the everyday.
- Water
The Marguerite Daisy should be watered thoroughly whenever the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch. Generally, this might equate to watering approximately once a week, but frequency can vary based on climate and environmental conditions. Aim to provide the plant with about one gallon of water at each watering session to ensure the soil is moistened evenly throughout the pot. During the hot summer months, the plant may require more frequent watering, whereas in the winter, watering should be reduced. Avoid overwatering as this can lead to root rot.
- Light
The Marguerite Daisy thrives best in full sunlight, receiving at least six to eight hours of direct sun per day. The ideal spot for this plant is in a garden location where it can benefit from abundant daylight. However, in areas with extremely hot summers, some afternoon shade can help to prevent scorching of the leaves.
- Temperature
The Marguerite Daisy prefers to grow in a temperature range between 50 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit. These daisies can handle temperatures as low as 40 degrees Fahrenheit and as high as 80 degrees Fahrenheit, but may suffer if the temperature goes beyond these extremes. Ideal growing conditions involve placing the plant in an environment where night-time temperatures are cooler than the day, promoting vigorous growth.
- Pruning
Marguerite Daisy benefits from regular pruning to encourage bushier growth and more abundant blooms. Lightly prune throughout the growing season by pinching off the tips of the stems and deadheading spent flowers. A more substantial pruning can be done in early spring or late fall to remove old or dead growth and shape the plant. Pruning is not only a way to maintain the plant's appearance but also promotes healthier, more vibrant plants.
- Cleaning
As needed
- Soil
Marguerite Daisy thrives in a well-draining, fertile soil mix with added organic matter like compost. A soil pH ranging from 6.5 to 7.0 is ideal for optimal growth. Using a mix of two parts garden soil, one part peat moss or coconut coir, and one part perlite or sand will ensure appropriate drainage and aeration for the roots.
- Repotting
Marguerite Daisy should be repotted every 1 to 2 years or when it outgrows its current pot. Springtime is the best period for repotting to allow the plant to establish in the growing season. Choose a pot just one size larger to prevent waterlogging which can lead to root rot.
- Humidity & Misting
Marguerite Daisy prefers moderate humidity levels but is quite adaptable to average household humidity conditions. It is resilient and does not require specific humidity adjustments, making it a low-maintenance choice for both indoor and outdoor settings.
- Suitable locations
Indoor
Place in bright, indirect light facing south or west.
Outdoor
Plant in full sun to part shade, sheltered from strong wind.
Hardiness zone
9-11 USDA
- Life cycle
The life of Argyranthemum Madeira Double White begins with seed germination, where the right conditions of soil, warmth, and moisture encourage the seed to sprout and form a small seedling. This seedling then enters a vegetative stage, where it develops a rosette of leaves close to the ground, photosynthesizing and building energy for further growth. As the plant matures, it transitions to the budding stage, where flower buds develop at the ends of the stems. The plant then blooms, producing its characteristic double white daisy-like flowers with multiple layers of petals surrounding a central yellow disc which attracts pollinators. After pollination, it sets seeds, completing its reproductive cycle. If conditions are not favorable for seeding or where consistent deadheading occurs, the plant may not progress to seeding, instead producing flowers continuously until the seasonal end of its life cycle or plant senescence occurs.
- Propogation
Propogation time
Spring-Early Summer
Argyranthemum Madeira Double White, commonly known as the Marguerite Daisy, can often be propagated through softwood cuttings. This method typically takes place in late spring or early summer when the plant's new growth is mature enough to be cut but not fully hardened. Cut a piece of the stem about 4-6 inches (10-15 cm) in length just below a leaf node, remove the lower leaves, and dip the cut end into a rooting hormone. Then insert the cutting into a pot filled with a well-draining soil mix. Keep the soil consistently moist and maintain a warm environment to foster root development. After a few weeks, when roots have formed and new growth appears, the cutting can be transferred to a larger pot or planted in the garden.