Treasure Flower Gazania 'Chansonette'
ABOUT
Gazania 'Chansonette' is a striking plant, primarily known for its vibrant and showy flowers. These blossoms are daisy-like in appearance and boast a range of colors, often with a bold and contrasting stripe pattern. The petals can be shades of yellow, orange, red, pink, or white and typically have a darker area at the base, which adds to their dramatic look. In the center of each flower, there's a disc composed of tiny blooms that create an eye-catching contrast to the colorful petals. The leaves of Gazania 'Chansonette' are also quite distinctive. They are typically elongated and spoon-shaped with a medium to dark green color on the top surface, while the underside is usually covered with a silvery or white downy fuzz. This plant forms a basal clump, with the leaves emerging principally from the base, giving it a neat and orderly ground-hugging appearance. Flowers arise on individual stalks that elevate the blooms just above the foliage for maximum visual impact. Throughout its blooming period, Gazania 'Chansonette' can create a carpet of color, making it an excellent choice for gardeners who wish to infuse their outdoor spaces with bright hues. It is commonly used in borders, ground cover, and containers due to its low-growing, spreading habit and its ability to thrive in sunny conditions. The cheerful demeanor of the plant, combined with its resilience and low-maintenance nature, ensures that Gazania 'Chansonette' is a popular addition to many gardens.
About this plant
NamesSynonyms
Treasure Flower, African Daisy
Common names
Gazania 'Chansonette'.
ToxicityTo humans
Gazania 'Chansonette', commonly known as Gazania, is not known to be toxic to humans. Generally, Gazania species are not listed among the commonly toxic plants, and there is no widespread documentation of toxic side effects following ingestion. However, as with any plant, individual allergies or sensitivities can occur, and it is always advisable to prevent children from ingesting garden plants as a precaution.
To pets
Gazania, commonly referred to simply as Gazania, is not typically known to be toxic to pets such as dogs and cats. There is no significant body of evidence suggesting that Gazania 'Chansonette' or other Gazania species are harmful to pets. However, as with humans, individual reactions can vary, and it is best to monitor pets to ensure they do not consume plants which could potentially lead to a negative reaction or gastrointestinal upset.
CharacteristicsLife cycle
Perennials
Foliage type
Evergreen
Color of leaves
Green
Flower color
Mixed
Height
0.5 feet (15 cm)
Spread
1 feet (30 cm)
Plant type
Herb
Hardiness zones
9
Native area
South Africa
Benefits
General Benefits- Drought Tolerance: Gazania 'Chansonette' can thrive with minimal watering, making it suitable for dry or arid climates.
- Low Maintenance: This plant requires minimal care once established, making it a good choice for busy gardeners.
- Bright Blooms: Gazania produces vibrant, daisy-like flowers that can add a splash of color to any garden setting.
- Attracts Pollinators: The colorful blooms can attract bees and butterflies, benefiting the local ecosystem.
- Resistance to Pests: Gazania 'Chansonette' is known for its resistance to common garden pests, reducing the need for pesticides.
- Ground Cover: Its growth habit makes it an excellent option for ground cover, helping to prevent soil erosion.
- Adaptability: Gazania can adapt to a range of soil types, although it prefers well-drained soils.
- Sun-loving: This plant is well suited for sunny spots and can handle the heat, ideal for gardens that receive full sun exposure.
- Long Blooming Season: Gazania typically has a long flowering season, providing color throughout spring and summer and sometimes into fall.
- Seaside Tolerance: It is suitable for coastal gardens because of its tolerance to salt spray and sandy soils.
- Versatility: Gazania 'Chansonette' can be used in various landscape designs, from borders to rock gardens and containers.
Medical PropertiesThis plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying QualitiesThis plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses- Gazania can be used as a natural ground cover in sunny areas, as the plant is drought-tolerant and can thrive with minimal care, reducing the need for regular lawn maintenance.
- With their vibrant colors, Gazania works as an effective visual signal for zoning in gardens, indicating different sections or paths without the need for artificial markers.
- Gazania flowers can be floated in bowls of water to create simple and natural decorative table centerpieces for outdoor events or gatherings.
- The plant can serve as a living mulch, with its dense foliage inhibiting weed growth and helping to retain soil moisture in garden beds.
- Dried Gazania flowers can be used in craft projects, such as potpourri or as embellishments on handmade greeting cards or scrapbooks.
- The sturdy and low-lying nature of Gazania makes it ideal for planting in areas prone to erosion, helping to stabilize soil on slopes or embankments.
- By planting Gazania along the edges of vegetable gardens, it can provide a colorful boundary that can attract pollinators and beneficial insects to the area.
- In coastal areas, Gazania can be planted to add color and texture to seaside gardens where salt spray from the ocean would harm less-tolerant species.
- As an educational tool, Gazanias can be used in schools and community gardens to teach children about plant growth and the importance of drought-resistant landscaping.
- The plant's ability to thrive in poor soil makes it suitable for urban greening projects, including rooftop gardens and other spaces with limited or degraded soil quality.
Interesting Facts
Feng ShuiThe Gazania is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign CompitabilityThe Gazania is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism- Beauty and Diversity: The Gazania, also known as Treasure Flower, comes in various vibrant colors, symbolizing the beauty and richness of diversity in life.
- Cheerfulness: Treasure Flowers open up in full sunlight, representing brightness and positive energy, and thus symbolizing a cheerful disposition.
- Perseverance: Gazanias can thrive in tough environments and poor soils, representing the ability to persevere and succeed despite hardships.
- Secret Affection: In the language of flowers, Gazania can signify secret love or admiration for someone, as it showcases its beauty only during the day and closes at night.
WaterTreasure Flowers should be watered deeply but infrequently, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings. Water them with about 1 to 2 inches of water once every week during the active growing season. When temperatures are cool and the plant is not actively growing, reduce watering to 1 inch every two weeks. Ensure that the soil is well-drained to prevent root rot. Be cautious not to overwater, as this could lead to fungal diseases.
LightTreasure Flowers thrive best in full sunlight, which means a location that receives at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight each day. These plants enjoy bright, sunny spots and will bloom more vibrantly with adequate sun exposure. Avoid placing them in low light or heavily shaded areas, as this will diminish their flowering potential.
TemperatureTreasure Flowers prefer temperate conditions and do best in environments where temperatures range from 50°F to 75°F. They are able to withstand temperatures as low as 30°F but should be protected from frost. During the peak of summer, if temperatures consistently exceed 90°F, providing some afternoon shade can help protect the plant from extreme heat.
PruningPruning Treasure Flowers is primarily done to remove dead or faded blooms and to shape the plant. Deadheading, or removing spent flowers, encourages further blooming and prevents the plant from dedicating energy to seed production. Pruning is best done throughout the blooming season as needed when flowers fade.
CleaningNot needed
SoilTreasure Flower (Gazania 'Chansonette') thrives best in a soil mix consisting of two parts garden soil, one part peat, and one part sand or perlite, ensuring good drainage. The ideal soil pH for Gazania 'Chansonette' should be slightly acidic to neutral, between 6.1 and 7.8.
RepottingTreasure Flowers typically do not require frequent repotting. Repot Gazania 'Chansonette' every 2 to 3 years or when it outgrows its current container, using fresh soil mix to replenish nutrients.
Humidity & MistingGazania 'Chansonette' prefers a dry climate and is quite tolerant of low humidity levels, making it suitable for typical outdoor environments where the humidity is not excessive.
Suitable locationsIndoor
Use bright light and well-draining soil for Gazania indoors.
Outdoor
Place in full sun and well-draining soil for best results.
Hardiness zone
9-11 USDA
Life cycleGazania 'Chansonette', commonly known as African daisy, begins its life as a seed, sowed in fertile, well-drained soil preferably during the warm season. After germination, the seedling emerges, developing rudimentary leaves as it establishes roots. As it matures into a vegetative stage, Gazania 'Chansonette' produces a rosette of spoon-shaped leaves and begins to form flower heads at the tips of elongated stems. The blossoming stage follows, where the plant displays daisy-like flowers that are often brightly colored, opening with sunlight and closing at night or during cloudy weather. After pollination, typically by insects, the flowers produce seeds, completing the reproductive cycle. Eventually, as a perennial in climates it can survive the winter or as an annual where it cannot, the plant goes into senescence, where growth slows and the plant may die back, allowing seeds to carry on to the next generation.
PropogationPropogation time
Spring to Summer
Propogation: The Gazania, commonly referred to as Treasure Flower, is best propagated through seed. The optimal time to sow Gazania seeds is in the spring after the last frost when the soil has warmed up. To propagate Gazanias by seed, place them on top of a well-draining soil mix and lightly press them into the soil, ensuring they are not completely buried, as they need light to germinate. The soil should be kept consistently moist but not overly wet. Seedlings usually emerge in 7 to 14 days. After the seedlings have developed a few true leaves, they can be transplanted into individual pots or directly into the garden, ensuring they are spaced about 8 to 10 inches (20 to 25 centimeters) apart to allow for proper growth and airflow.
